London, July 2: A ball boy collapsed and fans took cover as Wimbledon sweltered Wednesday on the hottest day ever recorded at the championships.
The suncream was slapped on and fans formed long queues at the water fountains as they tried to beat the heat in sweaty southwest London.
Britain's Met Office national weather service said a temperature of 35.7 degrees Celsius (96.3 degrees Fahrenheit) was recorded at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew -- its nearest station to the All England Club.
That topped the previous record of 34.6C (94.3F) set nearly four decades ago in 1976.
The heat got the better of one Wimbledon ball boy, who was stretchered off Court 17 after passing out.
He was sent to hospital for a precautionary check-up and after treatment was "feeling much better", the All England Club said. "We wish him a speedy recovery."
The first aid charity St John Ambulance said it had treated 170 people with five taken to hospital --  the majority suffering from heat-related conditions.
Spectators sheltered under umbrellas while others folded up newspapers into hats to keep the sun off. Some draped towels on their heads or used hand fans, while others formed lengthy queues to buy ice creams and refill their water bottles.
Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki handed out iced coffee to sun-baked spectators queueing to get in the grounds.    AFP