Post by : Mara Rahim
In a pivotal move for player safety, the ATP Tour has revealed a new heat policy, set to launch in 2026, aimed at shielding athletes from extreme temperature challenges. This initiative follows a series of retirements at the Shanghai Masters linked to severe heat and humidity. The policy will leverage the internationally recognized Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index, assessing human heat stress from direct sunlight, and establish clear cutoffs for necessary cooling interventions or match suspensions.
Should the WBGT reach 30.1°C (86.18°F) during the initial two sets of a best-of-three match, players will be permitted to take a 10-minute cooling break after the second set. This break allows for hydration, clothing changes, showers, and coaching, all under ATP medical supervision. Play will be halted if WBGT exceeds 32.2°C.
The ATP asserts that this policy is designed to bolster the safety of players, officials, ball persons, and spectators alike. Incidents in 2025 underscored the urgency of this change, including Jannik Sinner retiring from cramping in Shanghai, Novak Djokovic becoming ill during a match, and Holger Rune questioning the extreme conditions. Similar occurrences took place in Cincinnati when Arthur Rinderknech collapsed on the court.
Previously, decisions to suspend matches due to severe weather were made by an on-site ATP supervisor collaborating with local authorities and medical staff. The forthcoming policy will harmonize ATP regulations with those of the WTA and Grand Slam tournaments, which already permit longer breaks and match suspensions in adverse weather.
Other professional sports, including football, Formula One, and cycling, have established formal guidelines to address extreme weather conditions. The ATP aims for this enhanced policy to create a safer and more standardized framework for tournaments globally.
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