The ATP establishes three new measures to manage matches under extreme heat
Dramatic situations have been experienced throughout 2025 due to the high temperatures and humidity under which tennis players have had to compete in numerous tournaments. Cramps, fainting, numerous withdrawals during matches, and images of great suffering have led the ATP to introduce new measures to alleviate the effects of extreme heat. The innovations include the introduction of cooling breaks, the possibility of taking a ten-minute break when the second set ends and a third set has to be played, as well as the automatic suspension of matches when the temperature reaches over 32.2ºC on the WBGT index, which combines air temperature, humidity, and solar radiation.
The ATP Board of Directors approved implementation of a new heat rule effective from the 2026 season. Key provisions:
• Cooling breaks to be introduced
• A 10-minute break after the 2nd set will be permitted if requested by either player
• Play will be suspended when WBGT exceeds 32.2°C pic.twitter.com/MMyhtydmNP— Parsa (@Parsa_Nemati) December 15, 2025
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La ATP establece tres nuevas medidas para gestionar los partidos bajo calor extremo