World Tennis introduces extreme temperature rule

The ATP Tour is adding a rule to deal with extreme heat during men's professional tennis matches, allowing 10-minute breaks during singles matches of up to three sets starting next season. It's similar to a rule introduced in the women's tournament more than 30 years ago, reports the Associated Press. Euronews.

"The approval of the new policy strengthens the protection of players competing in extreme conditions," the ATP Board said in a statement.

At the Shanghai Masters in October, some players called on the ATP to introduce guidelines to help them cope with extreme heat and humidity. Defending champion Yannick Sinner stopped playing a match there because of severe leg cramps. 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic complained about the conditions after vomiting during a victory.

"It's brutal when you have over 80 percent humidity day after day. Especially for the boys when they play during the day in the heat, with the sun," Djokovic said at the time.

Tennis tournaments are heating up

An Associated Press analysis from 2023 showed that average high temperatures experienced during the US Open and the three other major tennis tournaments have steadily risen and been more dangerous in recent decades, reflecting climate change that has fueled record heat waves.

The study tracks the thermal comfort index, which measures air temperature in degrees, while taking into account humidity, radiation, wind and other factors that influence the body's response.

Scientists have looked at every Grand Slam tournament since 1988. On average, maximum temperatures at these tournaments have risen by nearly 3°C.

See more: Climate change could force FIFA to change the World Cup calendar

What is the new ATP rule?

The new ATP rule is based on wet bulb temperature (WBGT), which takes into account heat, humidity and other factors.

When the WBGT reaches at least 30,1°C in one of the first two sets of a match up to three sets, either player has the right to request a 10-minute time-out.

If the WBGT exceeds 32,2°C, the match will be stopped.

During breaks, players can change clothes, shower, hydrate or use other cooling methods under the supervision of ATP medical staff, and can also receive coaching assistance.

The ATP said the rule is aimed at "protecting the health of players while improving conditions for spectators, officials, ball handlers and tournament staff."

The WTA first introduced a rule to protect players in the heat in 1992.

The Grand Slam tournaments set their own heat rules. The US Open, French Open, and Wimbledon also have rules based on WBGT readings, as does the Olympic tennis competition, which is run by the International Tennis Federation. The Australian Open uses a method called the Heat Stress Scale.