Jakub Mensik, the 26th seed, collapsed on Roland‑Garros after a five‑set battle that stretched four hours and 41 minutes. The Czech, who beat Mariano Navone 6‑3 2‑6 6‑4 1‑6 7‑6 (13‑11), suffered leg cramps before serving the final point and later lay on court unable to rise. Medical staff applied ice, and he was moved to a wheelchair before rejoining the match after a brief rest.

Paris has endured a mid‑30s heatwave, forcing players to fight in relentless sun. The lack of shade on Roland‑Garros’ outside courts magnified the strain, as seen when Casper Ruud felt heatstroke and Hailey Baptiste injured her leg on Court Six. The extreme weather rattled the tournament’s schedule and raised safety concerns for the organisers and players alike today and tomorrow as.

After the match, Mensik recovered enough to speak: “My body just turned off… it’s insane to play in this weather.” He plans to use ice baths and fluids to regain strength before facing Alex De Minaur. Djokovic warned that Grand Slam courts should never host play in such extremes, hinting that Paris will need better cooling solutions for the season as players.