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Female tennis stars will be allowed to take heat breaks at Wimbledon this week - but inconsistent rules mean men will be forced to play on as temperatures soar.

The rule discrepancy has been highlighted as players brace themselves for record temperatures of up to 33C on Wednesday, as the mini heatwave gripping Britain is expected to reach its peak.

Women players will be allowed 10 minutes to cool down between the second and third set whenever the heat stress index - which takes into account air temperature, humidity and surface temperature - hits 30.1C or above.

The measure is likely to come into play for the first time at Wimbledon this week.

However, with no equivalent rule in place for men, Andy Murray and his rivals are not entitled to heat breaks even if they ask for them.

The tournament has previously been accused of sexism when it faced heavy criticism for awarding lesser prize money to women, though that changed in 2007.

But the latest gender divide stems from the women’s and men’s games being run by different organisations which set their own guidelines - the Women’s Tennis Association and the Association of Tennis Professionals.

Andrew Jarrett, the Wimbledon referee, said in a statement: "The heat rule allows a 10-minute break between the second and third set when the heat stress index is at or above 30.1 celsius.

"It only applies to ladies’ and girls’ singles matches that have not yet been called to court. Only one of the players participating in the match needs to request the break for the rule to be implemented."

Murray, who plays his first match against Mikhail Kukushkin today, spoke about the heat rule after one player vomited and a ball boy collapsed amid soaring temperatures at last year’s Australian Open.

“I don’t know why there are different rules,” he said.

“If there’s a medical reason for it, then I’m fine with it. If there isn’t, I’m not.”

Spectators have been warned to drink plenty of water, wear hats and use sun cream by the All England Club this week.