Day 4 turned out be a very hot day and I know in The Netherlands many people are suffering from the heat this summer! Here the heat is different and very very Humid and some of the players were really suffering during their practices!
During this type if Humidity the amount of liquid that is lost through sweating is crazy! Therefor if the players are not well hydrated with enough electrolytes Minerals and Salts you will either faint or cramp at one stage.
Yesterday one of the players had to stop their practise in the middle of the hour and many physiotherapist were called to the courts.
Another issue is trying to hold om to your racket! Kiki Mladanovic uses a liquid based formula that quickly drys the hands because after every ball exchange she had to use the towel!
Nevertheless the heat did not stop the fans of coming out this weekend and wanting to be entertained.
(Funny Game: one side hitting:feeding the ball and for the other side with a basket on their head trying to catch the ball)
My day was great and was running around between courts and also off site as our players are not just practicing one time but twice a day and having 4 players practicing 2 hours each spread out over the day, you can do the math!
One if the practices was with Caroline and Niclas Genovese off site and they found the shade of the fence to beat the heat.
Since this tournament is one of the oldest tournaments in the world their are many posters and pictures on the wall from the past!
One pictures indicates that tennis used to be a lineal sport just look at the back of the court and the side (absolutely not where to go) and the entire has changed just a little!
The court surface between the lines and if you compare it to the grandstand here in Cincinnati the outside (green) seems to be the largest part of the court surface!
Today is Monday and it will be beautiful day and some great matches! Day 5 about to start! Have a great everybody!
Sven