The ATP appear to have made plans to introduce a new heat rule in 2026, addressing a big problem on the tour.
As reported by ‘Parsa‘ on X, formerly known as Twitter, the ATP board of directors approved the implementation of several new regulations.
Key provisions include cooling breaks and suspension of play when the wet-bulb globe temperature exceeds 32.2 degrees Celsius.
The issue was largely prevalent on the Asian swing this season, with a mixture of heat and humidity making for brutal playing conditions at events like the Shanghai Masters and the Wuhan Open.
A number of players voiced their frustrations with the conditions at certain competitions, including Holger Rune, who asked an official in Shanghai if they wanted players to ‘die on court’.
What Holger Rune and others have said about conditions
Following his bout with Ugo Humbert at the Masters 1000 event, Rune was feeling unwell and had his blood pressure taken, with an ice towel around his neck.
As per the BBC, the Dane had asked why the ATP had no heat rule in place, to which the response was: ‘It’s a very good question.’
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Rune then said: “We can handle a certain amount of heat, because we’re strong and mentally strong as well, but there is always a limit.
“It’s also important to take care of your health. We need to survive.”
WTA number two Iga Swiatek agreed with the sentiment, stating that the heat at the Wuhan Open was ‘too much for most players’.
Swiatek added: “I hope the other matches will be scheduled at a time where girls can compete, rather than just die on the court.”
Shanghai Masters runner-up, Arthur Rinderknech, said he ‘struggled to breathe’ during a match at the tournament, calling the humidity ‘crazy’.
The current heat rules in professional tennis
The ATP, the WTA, the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open all have their own policies when it comes to heat rules.
On the women’s tour, players can take a 10-minute break when the Heat Stress Scale, a combination of the strength of the sun, temperature, humidity and wind speed, exceeds a certain limit.
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However, on the men’s tour, decisions around play suspension are at the discretion of the on-site supervisor.
Currently, 10-minute breaks are not allowed before a deciding set, a rule that the ATP said is ‘under active review’.
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