17 hours ago
Wimbledon 2025: Heat forces tennis fans to leave queue as temperatures to hit 34C on hottest-ever start to tournament
Tennis fans are queueing in their thousands as Wimbledon prepares to get under way amid a potentially record-breaking heatwave.
By 6am, a long line of people snaked its way through Wimbledon Park with fans camping overnight to be among the first to gain entry to the 2025 grand slam at SW19.
First in the queue were couple Vicky and Nigel Broad, from South Wales, who pitched up on Friday lunchtime.
Mr Broad, 57, said: 'The queue is like a little community.
'You make a load of connections and just talk tennis for the whole weekend.'
The couple have queued over 20 times and won tickets in the ballot, but Mr Broad said the queue is the best way to attend Wimbledon.
'I would say it's the greatest sporting event, having been to lots of sporting events like World Cup Football, rugby and boxing,' said Mr Broad.'It's because you meet a load of people and become friends, you have connections for a long, long time.
'We meet people year on year that we haven't seen for a year and then you immediately click back into what you're talking about the year previously,' he said.
Brothers Sam and Harry Williams travelled from Cardiff and camped from 5pm on Sunday, placing number 1400 in the queue.
The duo have been coming to Wimbledon for the past four years and said they plan to queue for four more nights to watch the tennis.
Sam Williams, 24, said: 'It's such a good way to get tickets. I can never get them online as they're always sold out.'
He said: 'It's going to be 35 degrees today. It's not going to be good, so we've got a hat and sun cream.'
It has emerged some fans abandoned the queue for Centre Court seats because of the scorching temperatures over the weekend.
Stewards at Wimbledon Park told The Telegraph that people had been leaving and saying they would come back when the weather is cooler.
One said: 'People have arrived and then left, saying they'll come back when the weather is cooler. We're giving regular advice to people turning up about the hot weather and to stay hydrated with water.'
Mel Megson, 58 from Margate, told how difficult it was standing in the queue through the heat.
She reluctantly camped overnight with her sister who has cancer to fulfil one of her bucket list dreams.
She said: 'My will to live has gone home. It's bloody hard work.'
She queued from 2pm on Sunday and placed number 1218 in the queue.
She said: 'It's my first and last Wimbledon.
'The last thing you want to do when it's really hot is stand in queues.
'I don't mind camping, I'm not so keen on tennis. The things you do for love.'
She said: 'We didn't bother bringing a tent. We just slept on a blanket on the floor,' as she was already carrying so many bags of food and clothes.
It comes as Monday is set to be one of the hottest June days on record, with highs of 34C expected.
That would smash the record for the hottest start to Wimbledon - which was set in 2001 when temperatures hit 29.3C.
The hottest day the tournament has seen was on July 1, 2015, when temperatures reached 35.7C.
The capital will enter a fourth day of a heatwave, forecast to be hotter than holiday spots in Barbados, Jamaica and Mexico.
Since 1960, UK temperatures in June have surpassed 34C in only three years, with the hottest being 35.6C, recorded on June 28 1976.
A tropical night may also be on the cards, with parts of England to stay above 20C overnight into Tuesday, the Met Office said.
Parts of south-east England could then hit 35C on Tuesday.
But, Scotland and Northern Ireland face heavy rain and cooler temperatures.
Charlwood in Surrey recorded the hottest temperature of the year so far at 33.2C on June 21.
A second amber heat health alert in two weeks came into force on Friday.
The alert, which covers London, the East Midlands, the South East, the South West and the East of England, will last until 6pm on Tuesday.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also issued a yellow alert for Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands for the same time period, warning of significant impacts on health and social care services.
An amber alert was previously issued for all regions in England on June 19, the first time it had been used since September 2023.
Here is the 4cast for Monday 📅Hot across southeast England in particular with temperatures reaching 34 Celsius 🌡️
— Met Office (@metoffice) June 29, 2025
An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK.
London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Thomas Goodall said: 'London is already facing its second heatwave of the year and we know that people will be looking forward to getting outside to enjoy the wonderful weather.
'But the high temperatures and low rainfall in recent months means the current risk of wildfires is severe.
'So far this year, firefighters have responded to around 14 wildfires in the capital.
Where is the heat building and how long will it last? The week ahead video below tells all and more 👇
— Met Office (@metoffice) June 29, 2025
'There have also been countless callouts to smaller fires involving grass, trees and in other outdoor spaces, as well as in people's gardens.
'During this latest heatwave, it is important everyone acts responsibly to prevent fires from occurring.
'As the weather has been so dry, it only takes a few sparks to lead to a fire spreading rapidly.
'In London, this is can be dangerous because so many of our green spaces lie close to homes and other properties.'
