After growing criticism from tennis professionals, the ATP is introducing a binding heat protection rule from the 2026 season.
The men’s organization announced this on Monday evening. The ATP is thus adapting to the requirements of the WTA, which introduced such measures years ago.
The new heat rule offers “a structured, medically supported approach to dealing with extreme heat, with the aim of protecting the health of players”said in a statement.
Players can request a “cooling break”.
The basis of the new regulation is the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index that takes temperature, humidity and other factors into account. The rule defines clear thresholds for cool-down breaks and game interruptions.
Accordingly, professionals can have a ten-minute winning period after the second set of a three-set game Cooling break apply when the WBGT value reaches 30.1 degrees or more. If the WBGT value exceeds 32.2 degrees, the match will be interrupted. The decision as to whether it can be played has so far been made individually by the ATP representative on site, in coordination with the medical team and the organizers.
Rune complained about “brutal” conditions in Shanghai
In October, the Dane Holger Rune, among others, complained about “brutal” conditions in Shanghai. “Do you want a player to die on the court?”Rune asked an official in temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius and humidity above 80 percent.
The measure is also intended to improve conditions for spectators, officials, ball children and tournament staff. The four Grand Slam-Tournaments maintain their own policies.