Home /
Funny /
Viral /
New Rules Introduces By ATP To Combat Increasing Heating Stress Among Players On Court
NEW RULES INTRODUCES BY ATP TO COMBAT INCREASING HEATING STRESS AMONG PLAYERS ON COURT
In order to combat excessive heat during men's professional tennis matches, the ATP Tour is implementing a regulation in 2026 that permits 10-minute rests during best-of-three-sets singles matches.
The regulation is comparable to what was implemented over thirty years ago on the women's WTA circuit. According to the circuit, "protections for players competing in extreme conditions" are strengthened by the ATP Board's acceptance of the new regulation.
Some players demanded that the ATP implement guidelines to assist them in situations of high heat and humidity during the October Shanghai Masters. 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic bemoaned the conditions after throwing up during a victory, and defending champion Jannik Sinner halted a match because to severe leg cramps.
"It's brutal when you have over 80 per cent humidity day after day," Djokovic stated at the time, "particularly for the guys when they're playing during the day with heat, with sun."
Terence Atmane, a rising star and world No. 61, was the first player to retire in Shanghai's opening round after just eight games against Camilo Ugo Carabelli of Argentina. "After the first point of the match, both of my hands were shaking," 23-year-old Atmane posted on Instagram. "As soon as we took a comfortable 2-0 lead in the second game, my whole body started to tremble, and I felt like I was drowning after every point."
"The heat stress I've faced today could have been worse than losing my consciousness for an hour and just a rapid heartbeat."
According to an analysis conducted in 2023, the average high temperatures seen during the US Open and the three other Grand Slam tennis tournaments have steadily increased in recent decades, making them increasingly risky. This is indicative of climate change, which has led to record heat waves. In 1992, the WTA created the first regulation to safeguard athletes from the heat. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), which considers temperature, humidity, and other variables, is the foundation of the new ATP regulation.
In a best-of-three match, either player may seek a 10-minute suspension of play if the WBGT reaches at least 30.1 degrees Celsius (approximately 86.2 Fahrenheit) during one of the first two sets.
The match will end if the WBGT rises beyond 32.2 degrees Celsius, or roughly 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Under the guidance of ATP medical personnel, players can change clothes, take a shower, drink, or find other ways to cool off during the pauses. They can even get coaching. The goal of the regulation, according to the ATP, is "safeguarding player health, while also improving conditions for spectators, officials, ball persons, and tournament staff."
Grand Slam competitions establish their own heat regulations. Rules for the US Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the International Tennis Federation-run tennis competition at the Olympics are all based on WBGT readings. The Heat Stress Scale is used at the Australian Open.