Information has appeared on the official ATP website that the Board of Directors of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has approved new rules governing the conduct of matches in conditions of intense heat.
The new heat rule provides a structured, medically supported approach to managing extreme heat, with the objective of safeguarding player health, while also improving conditions for spectators, officials, ball persons, and tournament staff.
The new regulations will take effect starting in the 2026 season. They are based on the WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) index, which establishes specific threshold values for taking cooling measures and stopping three-set singles matches.
If the wet bulb temperature reaches 30.1 degrees Celsius, any match participant is entitled to a 10-minute cooling break after the second set. During this break, players can drink water, change clothes, take a shower, and receive advice from their coach. If the temperature rises above 32.2 degrees Celsius, the match will be suspended.
