Starting next season, the ATP Tour is introducing a significant new rule designed to protect men’s professional tennis players from the effects of extreme heat during best-of-three-sets singles matches. When the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) hits 30.1 degrees Celsius (about 86.2 Fahrenheit) or higher, players will be allowed a 10-minute cooling break. This change mirrors a long-established practice on the women’s circuit, which has used similar heat policies for over three decades.
The decision by the ATP Board to approve this heat break reflects an ongoing commitment to player health, safety, and fairness on the court. Tennis is an intensely physical sport, requiring high endurance and concentration, and competing under sweltering conditions can have severe consequences for players. Serbian star Novak Djokovic has often spoken about the grueling challenge of playing in humid conditions, stating, “It’s brutal when you have over 80% humidity day after day… particularly for the guys when they’re playing during the day with heat, with sun.” By introducing this cooling break, the ATP aims to provide players with a critical opportunity to recover and recalibrate during matches played in punishing heat and humidity.
The use of the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature—a composite measurement that takes into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover—demonstrates the sport’s move toward more scientific and precise assessments of player risk and safety. Unlike simply measuring air temperature, the WBGT better reflects the overall heat stress experienced by players on court. This makes the new rule more targeted and effective at protecting players in genuinely hazardous conditions.
The concept of heat policies in professional tennis traces back more than thirty years. The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) introduced an official Heat Rule in 1992, acknowledging that extreme heat could jeopardize player welfare and influence match outcomes unfairly. Over the years, this policy has evolved and been fine-tuned, permitting medical timeouts and mandatory breaks to cool down when conditions reach dangerous thresholds. The ATP, historically more resistant to such procedural changes, has now embraced the idea for its male players, marking a significant step in the sport’s evolution.
Earlier professional tennis eras often saw players battling relentlessly through harsh heat without formal protections. For instance, during the 1970s and 1980s, it was not uncommon for matches in hot climates, such as the Australian Open or certain summer events in the U.S., to push players well beyond safe physical limits. The lack of cooling breaks contributed to numerous instances of dehydration, severe exhaustion, and in some cases, players collapsing mid-match. The introduction of heat-related regulations addresses these past oversights and acknowledges the growing understanding of sports medicine and player health.
The new ATP rule not only benefits players but also enhances the experience of spectators, officials, and tournament organizers. Matches can maintain a higher quality of play, reducing the likelihood of heat-induced errors or abrupt retirements. Players can utilize the break to rehydrate, consume cooling aids like ice towels or cold drinks, and consult with trainers—steps that can help prevent injuries related to overheating, such as muscle cramps and heat stroke.
From a strategic perspective, this cooling break introduces new dynamics during matches. Players might adjust their pacing to endure heat spikes or use the rest period to rethink tactics and mentally reset. In tight contests, a well-timed break could influence momentum shifts, making the rule both a protective and tactical tool.
This change is part of a wider trend in professional sports toward prioritizing athlete welfare amid challenging environmental conditions. Tennis has faced growing scrutiny as global temperatures rise and tournaments increasingly take place in hotter parts of the world. Grand Slam events like the Australian Open and the U.S. Open regularly contend with extreme heat, prompting organizers and governing bodies to explore innovative ways to safeguard players.
In addition to heat policies, the tennis community has also seen other health-related rule adaptations, such as the introduction of on-court medical reviews and revised hydration regulations. The ATP’s adoption of a heat break aligns with these efforts to modernize the sport’s approach to health and safety.
As the ATP Tour prepares for the upcoming season, players and fans alike can anticipate a greener and safer court environment during sweltering conditions. The 10-minute heat break symbolizes tennis’s willingness to adapt and evolve with the times, blending respect for tradition with the practical realities of modern sport. In the heat of battle—literally—this rule ensures that players won’t have to suffer in silence; the game, after all, should be a contest of skill and endurance, not one won or lost due to the merciless sun.