The French Open is currently underway in Paris, where the Grand Slam tournament is being played at the Stade Roland Garros on outdoor clay courts.

It sounds like the regular song and dance for the storied event, but it isn’t .

Just like everything else in the world, the tournament was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, it’s being played without fans in attendance, but the most significant change for the French Open is the dates on which its being held.

The tournament is usually played in late May and early June, when the weather in France averages between a balmy 18°C and 21°C. Now, with the tournament being pushed back into the fall, when the conditions average  a much colder 7°C -11°C, things are a little chilly.

 

Of course, this had made for a totally different environment for the athletes, who are playing through conditions they’ve never experienced before, and Nadal called the conditions very extreme.

 

 

The views of athletes and everyone in attendance trying to keep warm speak for themselves, and Azarenka and  Kovinic were so fed up with playing in the cold that they left the court for a while.

 

 

 

 

 

Victoria Azarenka was definitely not impressed with the conditions.

 

 

 

She’s definitely in better spirits now, and posted this hilarious and accurate comparison to Twitter.

 

 

Honestly, it’s not far off.

Stay warm, everyone!

 

(H/T: Twitter)