Holger Rune urges ATP to add heat rule after Shanghai Masters chaos

When Holger Rune, Danish player asked officials if players had to "die on court" during the opening rounds of the Shanghai MastersShanghai, the tournament’s brutal heat turned into a flashpoint for player‑health debate. Temperatures hovered around 31 °C (88 °F) and humidity spiked past 80 % for several days, prompting a spate of mid‑match retirements that reshaped the draw and sent shockwaves through the tennis world.

Background: How heat rules work in tennis

Grand Slam events already have a built‑in safety net: once the temperature‑humidity index (THI) hits a preset ceiling, play can be suspended or delayed. The ATP has historically left heat‑related decisions to tournament directors, citing player fitness and scheduling constraints. That hands‑off approach has been tested before – the 2022 Indian Wells event saw a brief pause when temperatures topped 38 °C, but nothing as sustained as the Shanghai heat wave.

Rune’s call mirrors a growing chorus of voices asking: why should players at a Master 1000 event be left out in the scorching sun while Grand Slam champs get a cooling break? The debate isn’t new, but the Shanghai drama gave it a fresh urgency.

What happened in Shanghai?

The opening day of the Shanghai Masters featured a dry, relentless sun that turned the outdoor hard courts into an oven. By the third round, the cumulative strain was evident. World No. 2 Jannik Sinner clutched at his right thigh, cramping so badly he had to concede the match to Tallon Griekspoor. "My leg just stopped working," the Italian said, his voice hoarse.

Novak Djokovic, the sport’s marquee name, was visibly ill, retching during his clash with Yannick Hanfmann before rallying to a hard‑won victory. "It’s brutal," Djokovic later admitted, "especially with 80 % humidity day after day. You feel every drop of sweat as a weight."

In total, seven high‑profile players retired before the quarter‑finals:

• Casper Ruud
• Tomas Machac
• David Goffin
• Terrence Atmane
• Hamad Medjedovic
• Wu Yibing

The withdrawals threw the draw into disarray, paving the way for lower‑ranked players to advance further than expected. For fans, the excitement was muted; for organizers, the spectacle turned into a logistical nightmare.

Players speak out

During a medical timeout in his match against Ugo Humbert, Rune was heard saying, "Do we have to die on court?" He later pressed the issue at the post‑match press conference, insisting, "We’re fit, we’re strong, we’re mentally tough, but there is a limit. A rule like the one at the Grand Slams would let us pause when it gets too dangerous."

Other affected athletes echoed similar concerns. "I’m a professional, but you can’t train to run on a furnace," Ruud said, dripping with perspiration after his retirement. "We need a safety blanket that says, ‘When it gets this hot, we stop.’"

Even Djokovic, who famously thrives in tough conditions, acknowledged the need for a formal safeguard: "I love a challenge, but the body is not a machine. When the humidity stays that high, it’s not just uncomfortable—it’s risky for heart and kidney function."

ATP’s response and possible policy shift

Following the backlash, a senior spokesperson for the ATP told reporters, "We are reviewing the situation in Shanghai and will consult with players, medical experts, and tournament officials about a potential heat‑index rule." The governing body has not yet proposed a concrete threshold, but sources say a THI of 82 or higher could trigger a temporary suspension, similar to the Grand Slam model.

Analysts note that any rule change would ripple across the tour’s 62 week calendar. A heat rule could force rescheduling of matches, affect broadcast windows, and potentially increase costs for venues that would need cooling infrastructure.

Nevertheless, the consensus among the players’ union is clear: protect health, preserve the sport’s integrity. "If we keep pushing athletes to the brink, we risk long‑term damage and lose fans who don’t want to watch people collapse on court," said a representative of the ATP Players’ Council.

Implications for future tournaments

Should the ATP adopt a heat rule, we could see several immediate effects. First, tournament directors in hot climates—like the upcoming events in Miami, Indian Wells, and the Asian swing—might install more shade structures or invest in air‑conditioning for player lounges. Second, scheduling could become more flexible, with earlier start times to avoid peak heat.

Fans may also benefit. A pause for extreme weather would keep matches competitive and reduce the odds of abrupt retirements that leave spectators disgruntled. Sponsorship deals could become more stable, as broadcasters won’t have to scramble for filler content when matches are halted.

On the flip side, critics argue that heat rules could disrupt the sport’s tradition of testing endurance. "Part of tennis is dealing with the elements," said a veteran commentator, "but there’s a line between a test and an avoidable health hazard." The upcoming decision will likely set a precedent that other sports—like cricket and rugby—could look to when drafting their own climate‑related policies.

What’s next?

The Shanghai Masters finishes on Oct 11, 2025, but the conversation will continue well beyond the final match. A meeting of the ATP’s International Player Council is slated for early November, where a formal proposal could be tabled. In the meantime, players are expected to voice their concerns at the next tournament in Mumbai, where another heat‑prone venue looms.