ATP Finally Addresses Player Safety with New Heat Wave Regulations
The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) will implement groundbreaking heat wave regulations beginning in the 2026 season, a move long advocated by players and critics who have accused the tour of prioritizing revenue over athlete well-being. This marks the first time the men’s tour will formally suspend matches due to extreme heat, following the lead of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), which adopted similar policies in 1992.
The declaration, made on December 15th, comes after a series of alarming health incidents during the 2023 season, most notably at the Shanghai Masters. The new rules stipulate a 10-minute cooldown period when the wet bulb temperature (WBGT) reaches 30.1 degrees Celsius, and matches will be halted if the WBGT exceeds 32.2 degrees Celsius. The wet bulb temperature is a comprehensive measure of heat stress, factoring in temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation.
The regulations will apply to ATP-organized tournaments,based on a standard 3-set match format. Players will be able to request a cooldown period after the completion of the second set if the wet bulb temperature reaches the threshold. During these breaks,players will be afforded the opportunity to cool down,rehydrate,shower,change clothing,and receive coaching under the supervision of ATP medical personnel.
The impetus for change arrived with a stark warning from Denmark’s Holger Rune during his match at the Shanghai Masters in October. “why doesn’t the ATP have a heat wave rule?” Rune reportedly shouted during a medical timeout. “Do they want players to die on the court?” His concerns were tragically underscored by the fact that World No. 2 Jannik Sinner suffered severe cramps and collapsed during a match, while Novak Djokovic vomited on the court, and Daniil medvedev was forced to ask a ball girl to assist him in removing his sweat-soaked shirt. The latter incident required intervention from an ATP supervisor.
Responding to the outcry, the ATP stated they were “actively reviewing the absence of mandatory heat wave regulations” and committed to collaborating with players, tournament organizers, and medical experts. The ATP delivered on that promise just two months later.
For decades, the ATP lagged behind the WTA in prioritizing player health during extreme weather conditions. The WTA implemented a heat policy mirroring the new ATP regulations as early as 1992. Until now, decisions regarding match continuation during heat waves rested with on-site supervisors, leading to inconsistent and often inadequate responses. This discretionary approach contributed to the dangerous situations witnessed in Shanghai.
The new rules represent a “medically supported, systematic approach to managing extreme heat waves,” according to an official ATP state
Here’s the article edited to answer the “Why, Who, What, and how” questions, functioning as a substantive news report:
Why: The ATP implemented new heat wave regulations due to growing concerns over player safety following a series of health incidents during the 2023 season, notably at the Shanghai Masters, and long-standing criticism that the tour prioritized revenue over athlete well-being. Players and medical experts had repeatedly called for standardized rules.
Who: The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) made the decision. Key figures involved include ATP officials, players like Holger Rune, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Dani
