The 'ATP introduces an "anti-heat" standard;
After last season’s controversy, the ATP is inserting for 2026 a rule that can lead up to the halt of matches if temperature, humidity and wind exceed established limits. In fact, the professional tennis association has announced the’introduction of an extreme heat protocol, following criticism received by some tournaments this season. The rule is already in effect in the women’s WTA circuit.
“Do you want a player to die on the court?”, Danish Holger Rune had asked in October, struggling at the Shanghai tournament, where temperatures exceeded 30 degrees with humidity levels above 80 percent. Now, “to strengthen protection for players competing in extreme conditions” a competitor will be able to request a ten-minute break during the third set to cool off if the WBGT index, which takes into account temperature, humidity and wind, reaches 30.1 during the first two sets, according to the ATP. The match will be suspended if this index exceeds 32.2.
The new rule, the ATP points out, aims to “protect the health of players” but also to “improve conditions for spectators, umpires, ball handlers and the tournament” organizing team. Until now, decisions on playing conditions related to weather, particularly heat, were the responsibility of the tournament supervisor, in consultation with medical teams and local organizers. The 2026 ATP season begins Jan. 2 in Australia with the United Cup, a national team tournament, while the first singles tournaments are scheduled for Jan. 5 in Brisbane, Australia, and Hong Kong.
