Multiple Tennis Players Collapse Amid Extreme Heat at Cincinnati Open

French tennis player Arthur Rinderknech collapsed during his third-round match against Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Cincinnati Open due to extreme heat conditions reaching 32 degrees Celsius. After dropping the first set in a tiebreak and securing an early lead in the second, Rinderknech collapsed while retrieving a towel and, despite medical treatment and attempting to continue, was ultimately forced to retire. The extreme heat has affected several players throughout the tournament, including Daniil Medvedev, who also struggled and retired early after using a fridge to cool down. Officials and fellow players expressed concern over the dangerous conditions, highlighting ongoing debates about player safety in high temperatures. Rinderknech’s collapse underscores the physical toll of playing under such punishing weather, with athletes warning that extreme heat can pose life-threatening risks. The tournament’s challenging environment has prompted calls for more stringent measures to protect players from heat-related illnesses.