ATP Unveils Controversial New Heat Rule for 2026 Season: A 10-Minute Cooling Break for Men's Singles Matches
By Lorraine McKenna
BBC Sport Journalist
The ATP has sparked debate with its introduction of a new extreme heat rule for the 2026 season, allowing men's singles players to take a 10-minute cooling break during best-of-three sets matches. This move has raised eyebrows, as it contrasts with the WTA's long-standing heat protection measures for women's tennis.
The ATP's policy, inspired by the WTA's 30-year-old rule, aims to enhance player safety in extreme conditions. However, it has not been without controversy. At the Shanghai Masters in October, with temperatures soaring to 34C and humidity at 80%, world number 15 Holger Rune's plea to an official, "Do you want a player to die on court?" highlighted the urgency of the issue.
The new rule, based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), measures heat stress in direct sunlight, considering temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover. If the WBGT reaches 30.1C or higher during the first two sets of a best-of-three match, players can request a 10-minute break to cool off.
Under ATP medical staff supervision, players can hydrate, change clothing, shower, and receive coaching. Play is suspended when the WBGT exceeds 32.2C. The ATP statement emphasizes the rule's objective: safeguarding player health while improving conditions for spectators, officials, ball persons, and tournament staff.
Players have spoken out about grueling heat conditions at tour-level and Grand Slam tournaments in recent years. Emma Raducanu's withdrawal from the Shanghai Masters due to dizziness, Novak Djokovic's description of the heat as "brutal," and Jelena Ostapenko's revelation of heat stroke all underscore the need for such measures. The WTA's heat rule, in place since 1992, has been a year-round standard for women's tennis.
But the ATP's new rule has not been without controversy. Will it be enough to protect players' health, or is there a more comprehensive approach needed? The debate rages on, and the ATP invites comments and discussions from the tennis community and fans alike.
