The ATP Tour has officially announced the implementation of a new policy regarding extreme heat, which will come into effect in 2026. The decision was made following incidents during tournaments, particularly in Shanghai. The new rules are based on the international WBGT index, which measures thermal stress on the body and determines medical thresholds for protective measures or stopping play.
According to the regulations, at a WBGT temperature above 30.1°C, players will receive a cooling break. If the reading exceeds 32.2°C, matches will be immediately suspended. These new rules respond to criticism from athletes concerning playing conditions.
The new ATP policy aligns the men's tour with WTA and Grand Slam rules and aims to improve working conditions for staff and ensure player safety. Tennis joins other sports where weather protocols are the standard.
'The necessity of these reforms became obvious after players began to withdraw en masse due to the extreme heat,' noted Novak Djokovic.
The new ATP policy on extreme heat introduces strict rules to protect players from dangerous heat conditions on the court. This will help ensure the safety of athletes and improve conditions for conducting tournaments in the future.