The ATP has announced a significant update to its regulations, confirming that a new extreme heat rule will be introduced from the 2026 season to better protect players on the men’s tour.
Under the revised policy, players competing in best-of-three singles matches will be allowed to take a 10-minute cooling break when conditions become dangerously hot.
The move follows growing concern over player welfare after several high-profile incidents this year. At the Shanghai Masters in October, temperatures crossed 34°C with stifling humidity, forcing Holger Rune to seek medical attention mid-match. His pointed question to officials, “Do you want a player to die on court?” brought renewed scrutiny to how tennis handles extreme weather.
The ATP’s rule will be governed by the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a metric that factors in temperature, humidity, wind speed and sun exposure.
If WBGT readings reach 30.1°C or higher during the first two sets, either player may request a supervised cooling break. Activities during the break will include hydration, changing clothes, showering and medical support. Play will be suspended entirely if WBGT exceeds 32.2°C.
Similar rules have existed on the women’s WTA Tour since 1992. With players across tours increasingly vocal about unsafe playing conditions, the ATP’s decision marks a long-awaited step towards prioritising health over schedules in an era of intensifying global heat.