SHANGHAI — Rising tennis star Holger Rune has publicly called on the ATP to implement an official heat rule after enduring brutal conditions during his opening match at the 2024 Shanghai Masters, a contest that descended into what he described as "chaos" and left him physically drained and seeking medical attention.
The 21-year-old Danish sensation survived a grueling three-set battle against home favorite Juncheng Shang, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. However, the victory came at a significant cost. The on-court temperature was reported to be well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), with extreme humidity pushing the "real feel" conditions to dangerous levels for elite athletic performance.
A Physical Ordeal on Court
Rune’s physical distress was visible throughout the match. He required a medical timeout and was seen lying flat on his back on the court during changeovers, using bags of ice in a desperate attempt to cool his core body temperature. After securing the win, he appeared visibly disoriented and struggled to leave the court, requiring support from his team. In his post-match press conference, Rune did not mince words, stating, "It was crazy. I think it's one of the toughest matches I've ever played, conditions-wise."
He elaborated on the specific physical toll, explaining, "I was completely dead after the match. I had to get checked by the doctors. I had some low blood pressure and stuff. It was not a nice feeling. I was dizzy, I couldn't really stand up. It was a bit chaotic... It's not fun to end a match like that, where you can't even walk off the court."
The Call for a Formal "Heat Rule"
Rune’s experience has fueled his demand for the ATP to establish a clear, standardized policy for extreme weather, similar to the Heat Stress Scale used at other major tournaments like the Australian Open. Currently, the ATP rulebook grants supervisors discretion to suspend play due to extreme weather, but there is no specific, universally applied metric for heat. Rune argued passionately for change, saying, "I really hope the ATP will do something about this and make a heat rule."
He pointed to the inconsistency and potential danger of the current system. "We are the only sport, I think, that doesn't have a heat rule. We don't have a roof, we don't have anything. We just have to play. And I think it's not fair for the players... It's not about being tough. It's about health. We are putting our health at risk."
The absence of a formal rule creates a precarious situation where players must compete until a supervisor makes a subjective call, often after players are already suffering. Rune highlighted this flaw, noting, "If we have a heat rule, then we know when it's too hot, we stop. It's simple. Now, it's just up to the supervisor, and it's very difficult for him to make that decision."
How Other Tennis Bodies Handle Extreme Heat
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and the Grand Slam tournaments have more defined protocols, which Rune and other players would like to see adopted by the ATP. The Australian Open, for instance, uses a complex heat stress scale that measures wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT), a composite metric that accounts for temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation.
When certain WBGT thresholds are reached, the following measures are typically implemented:
- Suspension of play: Matches in progress can be suspended, and the start of subsequent matches can be delayed.
- Extended breaks: A 10-minute break can be introduced between the second and third sets of women's matches.
- Closure of roofs: On courts with retractable roofs, these are closed to shield players from the sun.
The US Open also has a extreme heat policy that allows for a 10-minute break between the second and third sets for women and between the third and fourth sets for men. The absence of a similar, clearly communicated policy on the ATP Tour creates a significant disparity in player welfare standards across the professional tennis calendar.
Broader Support from the Player Field
Rune is not alone in his frustration. Other players competing in Shanghai voiced similar concerns about the stifling conditions. Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, who also won his match, frequently complained to the chair umpire and expressed his own fears about player safety. "I think I'm going to die," he was heard saying during one changeover.
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has also been a long-time advocate for better heat rules, having experienced extreme conditions throughout his career. Following a particularly brutal match at the Tokyo Olympics, Djokovic stated, "I support the introduction of a heat rule. It's necessary for our sport."
This growing chorus from the sport's biggest stars underscores a widening gap between player expectations for safety and the current governance. The physical demands of modern tennis are immense, and competing in extreme heat not only increases the risk of immediate, acute medical issues like heatstroke but also contributes to longer-term fatigue and injury.
The ATP's Stance and the Path Forward
In response to the incident and Rune's comments, the ATP issued a statement acknowledging the challenging conditions. It read, in part, "Player safety is a top priority for the ATP. Conditions in Shanghai have been challenging, and the heat and humidity are being closely monitored by our on-site medical and weather teams."
The statement continued, explaining the current protocol: "The ATP Rulebook allows the Tournament Supervisor to suspend play in extreme conditions at their discretion. We are constantly reviewing our policies in this area to ensure we are taking the appropriate measures to safeguard our athletes."
However, for players like Holger Rune, "discretion" is not enough. They are demanding objective, data-driven rules that remove ambiguity and prioritize health. The push is for a standardized WBGT threshold across all ATP tournaments that would automatically trigger match suspensions or extended breaks, eliminating the pressure on a single official to make a potentially controversial call.
Conclusion: Health Over Heroics
The chaos witnessed in Shanghai serves as a stark reminder of the very real dangers posed by climate change and increasingly extreme weather at outdoor sporting events. Holger Rune's powerful plea is not merely about one difficult match; it is a call for the ATP to modernize its regulations and align with best practices in athlete welfare.
As the sport continues to globalize, playing in hot and humid climates is inevitable. Implementing a formal heat rule is a necessary step to ensure that the toughness of the competition is determined by skill and athleticism, not by which player can better withstand potentially dangerous physical conditions.
Rune concluded with a sentiment shared by many of his peers, framing the issue as a fundamental question of care: "We are humans, we are not machines. We need to be taken care of. I hope they will listen to the players and do something about it." The ball is now firmly in the ATP's court to respond to this clear and urgent demand from its athletes.