Umbrellas up at Wimbledon - to keep the sun off

Spectator sheilds from the sun using an umbrella on Court 18 at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, June 30, 2015. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

LONDON (Reuters) - As is so often the case, the weather was the number one topic of conversation at Wimbledon on Tuesday but for once it was not the prospect of rain that brought out the umbrellas but a beating sun on what was forecast to be the hottest day of the year.

Afternoon temperatures were expected to reach 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) -- considerably higher on court -- and the public address announcers were busy warning fans to drink water, apply sunscreen and wear hats.