by Our Sports Desk

AS court temperatures reached dizzying heights former three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe hit out at the denial of heat breaks for men on tour yesterday.

Echoing the calls from Judy Murray made on Tuesday, as the temperature showed no sign of easing, McEnroe questioned the difference in the rules telling ESPN: “Why would that be? Reverse sexism.”

He also said: “The first year I played the French [Open], at two sets to one after a third set if either of the two players — even if it was 66° and windy — wanted to take a 10-minute break, you could.”

And the former US player attacked the power of tournament bosses to argue that players should have a greater say in these decisions: “The tournament directors rule the ATP too much in my opinion.

“The players should rule it, as they should rule Wimbledon and the other majors.”

Chris Evert, also a former three-times SW19 winner, chipped in to suggest that the players could apply pressure, to which McEnroe responded: “If we get them all together we could do something for this wonderful sport we have, including taking a 10-minute break if it’s so hot here at Wimbledon.”

Judy Murray’s call for equality on tennis’ heat break rules came as temperatures hit a sweltering 41°C during son Andy’s first round clash with Mikhail Kukushkin.

According to Women’s Tennis Association rules, when the air temperature, humidity and surface temperature — known as the heat stress index — rises above 30.1°C the players can request a scheduled 10-minute break between the second and third sets.

But the Association of Tennis Professionals who organise the men’s tour do not have a similar rule. However the Australian Open has a separate extreme heat policy for when the mercury moves past the 40° mark.

“I think the men should adopt it as well, especially because they have to play five sets,” said Britain’s Fed Cup captain Judy Murray.

“And a slam is such a tough thing to play in, I know you get a day in between matches but if you’re going to win a slam you need to play seven matches in 13 days.”

“And for the men working across the best of five sets it’s incredibly physically and mentally draining, so I think the men should take advantage of it as well.”

Yesterday was confirmed by the Met Office as the hottest July day on record.