The ATP men’s tennis tour will introduce an extreme heat policy from 2026 after criticism from players over the sweltering heat at some matches this year.
The move brings the ATP into line with the women’s WTA Tour, which has a long-standing policy, and sports such as Formula One, which has its own measures to protect riders.
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In October, Danish tennis star Holger Ruhn said the temperature at the Shanghai Masters exceeded 30 degrees Celsius and the humidity soared to more than 80%, which was “very cruel.”
“Do you want a player to die on the pitch?” Roon was heard asking, exhausted by the intense environment.
The ATP has now taken action, saying on Monday it was “enhancing protection for players competing in extreme conditions.”
The new rules are based on wet bulb temperature (WBGT), which measures air temperature, humidity, wind speed and other factors to estimate heat stress.
According to this measure, in a best-of-three singles match, if the WBGT reaches 30.1 degrees or higher in the first two sets, players can request a 10-minute cooling break.
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When WBGT exceeds 32.2 degrees, racing will be suspended.
“The new heat rules provide a structured, medically supported approach to managing extreme heat with the aim of protecting player health,” the ATP said.
It added that it would also “improve conditions for spectators, officials, golfers and event staff”.
These rules do not apply to the four Grand Slam tournaments, which have their own policies.
Previously, decisions about weather conditions, including high temperatures, were made by on-site ATP directors in coordination with medical teams and local organizers.
The European Global Warming Monitor said last week that the Earth is on track to have its second warmest year on record in 2025.
PST/Fox
