The move mirrors a long-standing WTA policy, which has been in place for more than 30 years to help protect players competing in high temperatures.
Concerns about heat conditions intensified at October’s Shanghai Masters, where daytime temperatures reached 34C with humidity around 80%. World number 15 Holger Rune required medical treatment during his third-round match and later questioned officials about player safety.
In a statement, the ATP said the new policy is designed to “strengthen protections for players competing in extreme conditions”.
The rule will be guided by the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a measure of heat stress that factors in temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover.
If the WBGT reaches 30.1C or higher during the first two sets of a best-of-three match, either player can request a 10-minute cooling break. Under ATP medical supervision, players will be allowed to hydrate, change clothes, shower and receive coaching.
Matches will be suspended entirely if the WBGT exceeds 32.2C.
“The new heat rule provides a structured, medically supported approach to managing extreme heat, with the aim of safeguarding player health, while also improving conditions for spectators, officials, ball persons and tournament staff,” the ATP added.
Players across both tours have increasingly spoken out about punishing heat at events in recent years. This season’s Shanghai Masters and Wuhan Open faced heavy criticism, while Britain’s Emma Raducanu retired from a match with dizziness, Novak Djokovic described the conditions as “brutal”, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard said he felt like he was “dying on the court”, and Jelena Ostapenko revealed she suffered heat stroke.
The WTA’s heat rule, introduced in 1992, applies year-round at all women’s tournaments.
