Why the US Open won’t close the roof as players swelter in the intense heat

Tennis

By means of Miles Schachner

The players are boiling, but the tournament is not progressing.

After countless complaints about steamy 90-degree temperatures and stifling humidity from players and fans alike, the US Open has adopted a slight change in its policy regarding stadium roofs — but not will completely close the roofs of Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadium.

“After the end of the Jelena Ostapenko-Coco Gauff match on Tuesday, September 5, the tournament chose to partially close the roof of the Arthur Ashe Stadium. In addition, after the end of the first set of the Linette/Pera-Brady/Stefani match , the roof of Louis Armstrong Stadium is partially closed,” USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier said in a statement to The Post.

“The decision in both instances was made to provide relief from the sun and heat for the fans. By partially closing the roofs, both courts became shaded which improved conditions for the players,” continued Widmaier. “This decision was made of the Tournament Referee, but he gets input from the tournament management and the medical team.

“At that point in the tournament all singles matches were, and will continue to be, scheduled at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Also, that point on Tuesday, marked the first time the Extreme Heat Policy was implemented.

The heat policy also includes a stipulation that allows longer breaks between sets if the temperature exceeds 86.2 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperatures are set to remain in the 80s and 90s until the end of the tournament on Sunday, along with high humidity.

Widmaier said the partial roof closing will be a staple for at least the rest of this year’s Open.

“In addition, the Tournament Referee made the decision to continue this course of action for the rest of the tournament. Therefore, the roofs of Ashe and Armstrong are also partially closed during Wednesday’s completion,” Widmaier wrote in the statement. “The Extreme Weather Policy kicks off at the start of the game on Wednesday.

“The decision has nothing to do with cost. The US Open is an outdoor tournament, but we want to provide comfort for the fans if we can. That was the driver of the decision, but by partially closing the roofs, the shade was placed on the court, and improved the playing conditions.

After Daniil Medvedev defeated Andrey Rublev in three sets during the quarterfinal, he had a warning about the temperature rising in the tournament.

“You can’t imagine,” said Medvedev. “A player (is) going to die, and they will see.

“The only thing is a little, let’s call it a risk, so the question is: How far can we go?”