Jakub Menšík struggled to cope with the extreme Paris heat at the 2026 French Open. The tournament was defined by a wave of unexpected upsets across both the men’s and women’s contests.
What happened?
The French Open saw players like Jannik Sinner, Casper Ruud, and Jakub Menšík struggle with the heat. Ruud battled severe physical discomfort during his first-round clash with Roman Safiullin.
Why it matters for Jakub Menšík
The heat wave left Ruud feeling like a “zombie.” He said the heat wave caused problems, and he had experienced something similar before in Washington D.C.
What comes next?
The intense heat wave in France has led to the cancellation of the women’s W35 event in Périgueux. The ITF stated that the indoor courts on site are not air-conditioned and are therefore not permitted to be used under the red heat wave alert.
The men’s M25 tournament in Montauban faced the same issue, and organizers canceled the tournament to guarantee the safety of all players. Temperatures have soared across parts of France, rising as high as 107.4°F.
Jakub Menšík, along with Daria Kasatkina and Jeļena Ostapenko, spoke up about the extreme temperatures. Novak Djokovic criticized the French Open’s heat policy amid growing concerns over player welfare.
The UK Met Office forecasters have issued an “extreme heat warning” for parts of England, with temperatures forecast to climb as high as 96°F. This could pose a challenge for Jannik Sinner, Casper Ruud, and other tennis stars at the upcoming Wimbledon Championships.
And the heat is not the only concern for players. The French Open saw several upsets, including Jannik Sinner’s loss to Juan Manuel Cerúndolo. Sinner complained of dizziness and nausea during the match.
But the heat was not the only factor in Sinner’s loss. He had previously struggled with cramping in hot conditions in Shanghai and Melbourne.
So the question remains, how will players like Jakub Menšík cope with the heat at future tournaments? The answer will have to wait until the next Grand Slam event.
The French Open may be over, but the effects of the heat wave are still being felt. The cancellation of ITF events in France is a clear indication of the extreme weather conditions.
The ITF events in France were canceled due to the extreme heat, with temperatures rising to record highs. The decision was made to guarantee the safety of all players.
And the players are not the only ones affected by the heat. The organizers and staff also have to deal with the extreme conditions.
But for now, the focus is on the players and their safety. The heat wave in France has been a major concern for the tennis world, and it will be interesting to see how players like Jakub Menšík adapt to the conditions.
The 2026 French Open will be remembered for the extreme heat and the upsets that occurred. But for Jakub Menšík and other players, the focus is on the next tournament and how to cope with the heat.