Link to newsround

How Wimbledon is adapting to cope with the heat

The court can be seen with players in action and with the roof open. There is a bright blue sky and bright sun Getty Images

Following the arrival of another heatwave to the southeast of England, the effects are certainly being felt at the Wimbledon tennis tournament in London.

Temperatures at SW19 - the postcode that Wimbledon is known by - could reach record levels this week with highs of 34C on Thursday or Friday.

With this in mind organisers of the competition have been making changes to help protect the players taking part and the spectators attending.

Keep reading to find out more about some of the new measures being brought in...

For players

Serbia's Novak Djokovic wipes sweat from his face as he practicesGetty Images

Serbia's Novak Djokovic has been feeling the heat

Wimbledon organisers have taken steps to protect players in hot weather by introducing a new heat rule.

This allows players to request a ten-minute break at certain intervals if the heat stress index, measuring air and surface temperature and humidity, reaches 30.1C or above.

A break of up to 15 minutes has been allowed for wheelchair events.

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines in action against Iga Swiatek of Poland in the third round on Day Six Getty Images

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines was seen using a plastic bag filled with ice to help cool down

There will also be ice towels that can be distributed to players, along with electrolytes and gel packs to help regulate their temperature.

One change that can help both the players and the fans watching, is to close the roof on the two main arenas Centre Court and Court One.

There is also specialist air conditioning that can be turned on in the main arenas, but if you're playing or watching at one of the outside courts there's no such luck.

For ballgirls and ballboys

Wimbledon: What does is take to be a ballboy or girl?

Ball boys and girls usually work one hour on, one hour off during a game.

They typically work across all of the 18 courts, but with the temperatures high they'll work shorter shifts so they are less likely to overheat.

Uniforms have also been adapted to include hats with neck shields, as well as with cooling scarves.

Winston Sedgwick, the assistant manager of the court services team, said one of the ball girls "became quite unsteady" in last week's heat and had to be escorted off court.

But the team were able to "pack ice on her wrists, shade her, make sure she was drinking enough and look after her" until she was feeling better.

For fans

Spectators seen wearing sunhat and using fans in the crowd Getty Images

Fans have been warned to wear hats and many are also carrying fans

When it comes to the large number of spectators coming through the gates each day, Wimbledon organisers have also been taking steps to help them stay cool and well hydrated.

Hand-held fans are being sold in Wimbledon's shop for the first time, while free samples of suncream have been handed out.

More water stations have been installed and public announcements are being made warning spectators to wear hats and take time away from the sun.

Spectators seen hiding from the sun by placing jackets over their heads and holding up umbrellas as they sit on the grassGetty Images

On Henman Hill these spectators tried their best to find cover from the sun

Organisers have also been creating more shaded zones around the grounds, with Henman Hill, where lots of fans gather to watch on a large screen, getting a pergola with gives shelter from the sun.

Military service stewards have said that sunstroke was the biggest risk to spectators at the tournament and that staff had been trained in what to do if someone does need help.