Deaconess Tennis Classic moved indoors due to high heat index

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – For the first time in the 23 years of the event, matches were stopped in the Deaconess Tennis Classic due to extreme heat Wednesday.

Tournament Director Kim Poynter says they have gotten close to canceling in the past, but never had to halt play because of a high heat advisory.

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On Wednesday, an athlete was hospitalized due to heat-related symptoms following her match.

Tournament play stopped at noon, sticking to the United States Tennis Association’s heat safety regulations.

“They have a gauge that they go out on the court and it is the wet-bulb globe temperature,” Poynter said. “If it is at 90 [degrees] we have to stop play. It takes into consideration the dew point, the wind, the temperature and the heat index. The heat index was 110 [degrees] when we checked. If you walk out on the courts, the heat just radiates. You can feel the temperatures go up just going from the grass into the courts to play. It’s all about safety for the players and keeping them healthy.”

With similar heat on the horizon for Thursday, organizers of the Tennis Classic have already made the decision to continue to play indoors at the Evansville Tennis Center.

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