The ATP board has approved a new heat policy, effective next year, aimed at protecting players and fans from the effects of hot weather.
Approved by the ATP board, the new rule will be based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index (WGBT), which measures heat stress by combining temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover. Under the new policy, if the WGBT reaches 30.1 °C or above during the first two sets of a best-of-three match, a 10-minute break will be allowed after the second frame, provided players request it. During this break, they will be allowed to receive coaching under supervision, change and shower. Should the temperature exceed 32.2, play will be suspended.
“The new heat rule provides a structured, medically supported approach to managing extreme heat, with the objective of safeguarding player health, while also improving conditions for spectators, officials, ball persons, and tournament staff,” the ATP said in a statement.
The new rule comes after various players raised concerns about playing in hot weather, particularly at this year’s Shanghai Masters, which saw a high number of retirements. According to BBC Sport, the temperature was as high as 34C and the humidity was at 80% at the event.
“We can handle a certain amount of heat, because we’re strong and mentally strong as well, but there is always a limit,” Denmark’s Holger Rune said in Shanghai.
“It’s also important to take care of your health. We need to survive.”
Until now, the decision to suspend matches due to weather has been at the discretion of the tournament supervisor in coordination with medical officials and local authorities.
The ATP’s heat policy has been long overdue with other bodies in the sport having such a system in place for years. The WTA Tour first introduced a similar rule back in 1992. Meanwhile, the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open also have simular rules based on the WGBT system. This is the same for the Olympic tennis events, which are run by the International Tennis Federation. The Australian Open uses a slightly different system called the Heat Stress Scale.
