Mensik slams 'insane' heat after collapsing at Roland-Garros

Jakub Mensik condemned the playing conditions at Roland-Garros as "insane" after collapsing on court following a brutal five-set win in sweltering Paris heat. The 26th seed battled through a 6-3 2-6 6-4 1-6 7-6 (13-11) victory over Mariano Navone that lasted four hours and 41 minutes.

Mensik was visibly cramping in his legs as the match reached its climax. He managed to land a forehand winner to clinch the final point, then dropped to the clay and lay on the court for several minutes, unable to get up without assistance. Medical staff applied ice towels to his neck and chest and an ice pack to his forehead before helping him to his feet; he later required a wheelchair when he struggled again on his way back toward the locker rooms.

At a press conference hours later the 20-year-old Czech said: "My body just turned off. It's insane to play in this weather, and especially in front of the sun. To be there for more than four-and-a-half hours, that's just insane." He added that the one-minute breaks between points provide little real cooling time, and he was critical of being penalised multiple times for taking too long between points — penalties that cost him two first serves.

Mensik said he would keep some concerns about the referee's conduct private but made clear his frustration with how things were handled. He is optimistic about recovering to face Alex de Minaur in the third round, noting he used an ice bath and did recovery work in the gym: "I'm feeling pretty well, it's just now about putting back the strength, a lot of fluids, and I'll be OK."

An unseasonal heatwave has pushed temperatures into the mid-30s across Paris, and several of Roland-Garros' outside courts offer little shade. The conditions have caused other problems: former finalist Casper Ruud said he felt dizzy and close to heatstroke during his first-round match, and American Hailey Baptiste landed awkwardly and was taken off Court 6 in a wheelchair.

The issue has reignited debate about playing in extreme heat at major tournaments. Novak Djokovic has argued Grand Slams should avoid scheduling matches in extreme conditions — pointing out that courts can be rescheduled under lights while still accommodating spectators.

Temperatures in Paris are not expected to ease until Sunday, with some rain possible in the second week. For now, players on the outside courts are coping with prolonged exposure to sun and high temperatures, and Mensik's collapse has underlined growing worries about player safety in the current conditions.