Facing the heat on the court: The ATP is stepping up to protect its players. Starting in the 2026 season, the men's professional tennis tour (ATP) is implementing a new extreme heat rule. This is a significant move, and it's all about player safety.
This new rule mirrors a similar one that the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has used for over 30 years. The goal? To shield players from the brutal effects of extreme heat.
The impetus for this change? Consider the Shanghai Masters in October. Temperatures soared to 34°C, with humidity at a stifling 80%. Holger Rune, a top-ranked player, needed medical attention during his match and, in a moment of raw emotion, asked an official a very direct question: "Do you want a player to die on court?"
So, what does the new rule entail? The ATP's statement explains the policy aims to "strengthen protections for players competing in extreme conditions." The core of the rule is the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), which takes into account several factors to measure heat stress: temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover.
Here's how it works: If the WBGT hits 30.1°C or higher during the first two sets of a best-of-three match, either player can call for a 10-minute cooling break. During this break, under the watchful eye of ATP medical staff, players can hydrate, change clothes, shower, and receive coaching. Play is completely suspended if the WBGT climbs above 32.2°C.
The ATP believes this new heat rule offers a structured, medically-backed approach to managing extreme heat, not only for the players but also for everyone else involved: spectators, officials, ball persons, and tournament staff.
But here's where it gets controversial... Players have been vocal about the challenging heat conditions at both men's and women's tournaments, including Grand Slams, in recent years. The Shanghai Masters and the Wuhan Open, also held in October, drew heavy criticism due to the extreme heat.
Consider these examples: Britain's Emma Raducanu had to retire from her first-round match due to dizziness. Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner, described the heat as "brutal." Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard felt like he was "dying on the court." And Jelena Ostapenko revealed she had "suffered heat stroke."
The WTA's heat rule has been in place since 1992 and is used throughout the year at all tournaments.
What do you think? Is the ATP's new rule a necessary step to protect players, or does it go too far? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
