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ATP Players’ Association adopts new policy to address extreme heat

The Association of Tennis Professionals has announced the adoption of a new policy to deal with high temperatures, set to come into effect starting in 2026. This decision follows repeated player withdrawals due to extreme heat and high humidity during last season’s Shanghai Masters tournament in China.

The ATP, which oversees the men’s tour, explained that the new rule is based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index, a globally recognized measure used to assess heat stress on the human body under direct sunlight. The policy includes clear criteria for cooling procedures and the potential suspension of matches.

In a statement issued earlier this week, the ATP said the new system provides a structured, medically supported framework for dealing with extreme heatwaves, with the primary objective of safeguarding players’ health and safety, while also improving working conditions for fans, umpires, ball kids, and tournament officials.

According to the regulation, if the WBGT index reaches 30.1 degrees Celsius or higher during the first two sets of a best-of-three singles match, either player may request a ten-minute cooling break at the end of the second set, with the break applied to both players. If the index exceeds 32.2 degrees Celsius, play will be suspended.

During cooling periods, players are permitted to drink fluids, change clothes, shower, and receive the necessary guidance under the supervision of the ATP’s medical staff.

The most recent Shanghai tournament saw several top players struggle, with world number two Jannik Sinner forced to withdraw last October after suffering a muscle strain in his right thigh, which caused mobility issues during his third-round match. Serbian star Novak Djokovic also vomited during one of his matches, while Denmark’s Holger Rune voiced his frustration, questioning whether players were expected to “die on court” amid the intense heat and humidity.

Calls for a formal framework to manage extreme heat have grown since last August, when Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech collapsed during a match at the Cincinnati tournament in the United States due to harsh weather conditions, before the win was awarded to Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Previously, decisions to suspend play due to adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat, were left to the discretion of the ATP supervisor on site, in coordination with medical teams and local authorities. The new policy now aims to standardize these procedures across ATP and WTA tournaments, in line with the Grand Slam events, which have already introduced extended breaks and match suspensions when necessary.

It is worth noting that many other sports, such as football, Formula 1, and cycling, have for years implemented clear policies to manage extreme weather conditions.

As the ATP continues to modernize the sport by prioritizing player safety and adapting to extreme conditions, fans can still follow and enjoy the game responsibly through Betway, the leading online betting site in Lebanon .

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