LONDON — In a landmark move for player welfare, the ATP has announced a comprehensive new policy to address the growing threat of extreme heat at its tournaments. The governing body of men's professional tennis confirmed that starting from the 2026 season, a formal "Extreme Heat Rule" will be implemented, granting players in best-of-three-sets singles matches the right to a 10-minute cooling break.
The decision, ratified by the ATP Player and Tournament Councils, marks a significant shift in the sport's approach to increasingly common and dangerous playing conditions. It comes after years of mounting pressure from players, medical experts, and fans who have witnessed numerous high-profile incidents of athletes suffering from heat-related illness on court, raising serious concerns about health, safety, and competitive integrity.
A Long-Overdue Response to a Climate Reality
For decades, tennis has largely adhered to a "play through it" mentality regarding heat, with rules varying wildly between tournaments and often leaving decisions on suspensions to the subjective discretion of officials. The new ATP policy establishes a clear, data-driven protocol. The rule will be triggered when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) — a composite measure that accounts for temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation — reaches a specific threshold, expected to be set at or above 30.1°C (86.2°F).
This scientific approach is crucial. As ATP CEO Massimo Calvelli explained in the official announcement, "The implementation of an Extreme Heat Rule is a significant moment for the ATP Tour. The health and safety of our players is our number one priority. This new protocol ensures a consistent and fair approach across our tournaments, based on the best available scientific data."
The urgency for such a rule has been amplified by the undeniable impacts of climate change. Major tournaments like the Australian Open in Melbourne and the US Open in New York have repeatedly faced brutal heatwaves, with on-court temperatures frequently exceeding 50°C (122°F). Players have collapsed, vomited, and been forced to retire, sparking debates about the sport's duty of care.
Mechanics of the New Cooling Break
The 10-minute cooling break will be permitted after the second set in a best-of-three match. If the match goes to a deciding third set, an additional break may be authorized after the third game, subject to the WBGT remaining above the threshold. This structured timing aims to minimize disruption to the flow of the match while providing critical relief at a pivotal moment.
During the break, players will be escorted to a designated, air-conditioned area. The protocol is designed for active recovery, not just rest. Key provisions include:
- Access to ice, cold towels, and electrolyte drinks for rapid core temperature reduction.
- A controlled environment away from the sun and stadium heat to facilitate effective cooling.
The rule applies solely to best-of-three-sets singles matches at ATP Tour and ATP Challenger Tour events. The complexities of best-of-five-sets matches at Grand Slams, which are governed by the Grand Slam Board, are not covered by this ATP-specific policy, though it will undoubtedly increase pressure on those tournaments to review their own guidelines.
Player Advocacy and Medical Consensus
The push for this reform has been player-led. Stars like Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, and Andy Murray have been vocal about the perils of extreme heat. Medvedev famously struggled in the 2022 Australian Open, stating mid-match, "I'm going to die. I can't breathe. I'm going to die." Such visceral accounts highlighted the very real physical dangers.
The ATP's medical team and independent heat stress experts have strongly endorsed the policy. Dr. Ben Kibler, a leading sports medicine physician, noted, "Heat illness is a spectrum, from cramps and exhaustion to life-threatening heat stroke. A proactive, scheduled break at a defined environmental threshold is a best-practice intervention that can prevent a medical emergency before it starts."
Research clearly shows that core body temperature continues to rise during prolonged exercise in heat, and a short break with active cooling can significantly lower it, improving performance and reducing injury risk in the subsequent stages of a match. This isn't about comfort; it's about physiology.
Implications for the Sport and Future Challenges
The introduction of the Extreme Heat Rule represents a cultural evolution in tennis. It moves the discussion from whether play should be stopped to a pre-emptive, standardized system that prioritizes athlete health. It also addresses fairness, ensuring all players in a given tournament receive the same treatment under identical conditions, rather than relying on an opponent's request or a chair umpire's judgment.
However, challenges remain. The 2026 implementation date allows tournaments time to adapt logistics and install necessary WBGT monitoring equipment. Some traditionalists may argue it breaks the sport's continuity, while others will question why the threshold is set where it is. Furthermore, the policy does not currently extend to:
- Doubles matches, which involve shorter points but longer overall court time.
- Qualifying matches and early-round play at smaller venues with fewer resources.
There is also the unresolved issue of extreme heat in best-of-five-sets Grand Slam matches. The 2024 Australian Open saw the use of a revised "Heat Stress Scale" that allowed for roof closures and extended breaks, but not a mandated cooling break like the new ATP rule. The ATP's move will likely catalyze a unified review across all governing bodies.
A Proactive Step Forward
In conclusion, the ATP's 2026 Extreme Heat Rule is a proactive and necessary modernization of the sport's regulations. By adopting a science-based trigger and a structured recovery protocol, the tour is aligning itself with contemporary standards in athlete health and safety seen in other major sports. As climate patterns continue to evolve, such adaptive measures are no longer optional but essential.
The policy acknowledges a fundamental truth: the spectacle of the sport is diminished when its greatest athletes are pushed to the brink of physical collapse. As player representative and ATP Tour Council member John Isner reportedly stated during consultations, "This is about ensuring we can perform at our peak and entertain fans, not just survive."
While details will be refined before 2026, the announcement sends a clear message that player welfare is paramount. It sets a new benchmark, promising a future where the outcome of a match is determined by skill and endurance, not by who can better withstand potentially dangerous environmental conditions.