"Players collapse in scorching heat, tennis faces scrutiny over extreme weather risks"

Sinner Struggles as Players Battle Grueling Conditions in Shanghai

Jannik Sinner had tried everything, but after enduring two and a half grueling hours in the stifling heat of Shanghai’s stadium court, he could go no further. Even late into the night, the humidity remained relentless, leaving Sinner cramping, breathless, and in pain during the final stretch of his third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor. Soon, he could barely walk. Midway through the deciding set, the 24-year-old leaned on his racket for support as he limped to his chair and retired from the contest.

These scenes have been a recurring theme at the Shanghai Masters, where numerous players have struggled under extreme conditions. Terence Atmane and Hamad Medjedovic both withdrew due to heat exhaustion, while Francisco Comesaña appeared close to collapse before opponent Lorenzo Musetti stepped in to help. Even Novak Djokovic, playing in the cooler evening slot, vomited repeatedly in back-to-back matches, at times looking spent during his fourth-round victory over Jaume Munar.

Meanwhile, in Wuhan, harsh weather similarly affected top players on the women’s tour. Emma Raducanu and Jelena Ostapenko retired under the oppressive heat and humidity. Bianca Andreescu shared a video of herself squeezing sweat from her socks, adding, "Wuhan felt like playing tennis in a sauna."

Though jarring, these conditions are not unprecedented. Tennis, a sport often played under intense sun, frequently pushes athletes to their physical limits. Yet, the sport has not done enough to address the risks of competing in such extremes.

The absence of formal safeguards was highlighted when Holger Rune confronted ATP supervisor Gerry Armstrong during a medical timeout, asking, “Why doesn’t the ATP have a heat rule? Do you want players collapsing on court?” Armstrong’s response was stark: “I don’t know—it’s a good question.”

While both Grand Slam events and the WTA enforce heat-related policies, the ATP still relies on supervisors and medical teams to make judgments during matches. In a statement, an ATP spokesperson acknowledged that weather-related suspensions are determined on-site but noted that safety protocols—including potential heat rules—are under review with input from players, tournaments, and medical experts.

In a sport with clear potential for standardized safeguards, the delay in addressing these dangers remains concerning. Player welfare should not be left to chance.