2016 US Open: Athletes, fans to face hot and humid weather for opening round play

By Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

August 26,2016; 10:36PM,EDT

 

Hot and mostly dry weather will greet fans and competitors at the 2016 U.S. Open Tennis Championships in Flushing, New York, as play begins Monday, Aug. 29.
"The weather looks very warm for the start of the U.S. Open," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist John Feerick. "Each day from Monday through Wednesday will have temperatures in the upper 80s to near 90 in the afternoon."
The big news coming into this year's tournament is the completion of the retractable roof atop Arthur Ashe Stadium, the tournament's main venue and where the men's and women's championship matches take place.
Serena Williams in action against Venus Williams (not pictured) in a women's singles quarterfinal match during the 2015 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y. (Photo/USTA/Michael LeBrecht)
While the roof will help reduce the number of rainouts and provide comfortable conditions for fans seeking to escape the heat and humidity, a number of courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center are outdoors, so weather will remain a factor for possible delays.
Monday looks like the best chance for a thunderstorm, although any delays should be short-lived, according to Feerick. The threat for rain will remain minimal through Tuesday and Wednesday, he added.
Arthur Ashe is the third of the four Grand Slam tennis venues that have added a retractable roof. French Open officials are seeking to add a roof onto Centre Court at Roland Garros in Paris.

The Associated Press reported that the roof will be closed only in the case of rain and not for extreme heat.
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In 2015, a record number of players had to retire from the event due to the scorching heat that lingered throughout New York City. One of the players, American Jack Sock, collapsed during his second round match and had to be treated for heat exhaustion and cramping.
"Players and patrons will need to remain well hydrated and remember to apply sunscreen as there should be a fair amount of sunshine each day of play early next week," Feerick said.