Game, sweat, match

TENNIS fans are braced for the hottest ever start to Wimbledon today - and possibly the highest temperature recorded in the tournament's history.

- By Jan Disley

A sweltering 34C is forecast later on today in what will be a blistering start to the event.

The warmest opening day on record was June 25, 2001, when temperatures hit 29.3C, while the hottest ever Wimbledon day was July 1, 2015, when 35.7C was recorded.

As fans began arriving at the All England Tennis Club yesterday, the mercury was already at 31C.

Hundreds of people, many draped in Union Flags, were seen pitching tents and braving the heatwave, keen to be among the first in line when the gates open today.