The ATP have confirmed that they are open to changing their approach towards play suspensions after extreme heat has battered the Shanghai Masters this month. Serbian legend Novak Djokovic was one of the main casualties of the extreme weather after he was pictured vomiting on court during his victory over Yannick Hanfmann.
Djokovic was unable to speak on court after his 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win and his post-match press conference was also cancelled. While the conditions in his latest victory over Jaume Munar were not as extreme, the veteran has already expressed his concerns during the tournament.
“It’s the same for every player on the court, but it’s brutal,” Djokovic explained. “It’s brutal when you have more than 80% humidity day after day, especially for players who play during the day, in the sun, then it’s even harder.
“Biologically it’s a bit more challenging for me to deal with it.” However, this is not just a problem that is unique to the 38-year-old.
Jannik Sinner had to retire due to severe cramping caused by the heat in Shanghai with his opponent Tallon Griekspoor advancing. After the match, Griekspoor conceded: “It’s not like I was feeling fresh myself.
“It was incredibly brutal out there – extremely humid, tough to hold the racket. Brutal conditions here in Shanghai all week already. I thought we were a little bit lucky to play in the evening without sun, but two hours and 36 minutes on the clock, middle of the third set… I’m sorry for him, I wish him a speedy recovery.”
Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech has also complained about the ‘crazy’ conditions in Shanghai, adding: “I don’t know if we realize it on TV, but on the court it’s complicated from the warm-up. [It is] worse than in the United States in summer.”
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Meanwhile, Holger Rune has urged ATP bosses to take action. “Yeah, I think there should be a heat rule like there are in the Grand Slams,” he said.
“I think every player would agree on that. Today was better, as you say, today was less hot.
“But again, it was less hot, but if it was more normal temperature today would be very hot. I think it was like 31 degrees and very humid.
“But compared to the other days it was pretty brutal. So I think there should be some kind of rule.”
Following the complaints from players, an ATP statement confirmed that the ATP Medical Services team implement several measures to protect players during extreme temperatures. They added that a decision on play suspension, including due to the heat, are made by an ATP supervisor at the venue.
However they did admit that a heat policy is being considered after the incidents in Shanghai. A statement said: “This remains under active review and additional measures including the implementation of an official heat policy are currently being evaluated in consultation with players, tournaments, and medical experts. Player safety remains a top priority for the ATP.”
While Sinner has been the main casualty due to retirement at the tournament, there have been seven retirements in Shanghai. David Goffin, Tomas Machac, Casper Ruud, Terence Atmane, Hamad Medjedovic, and Yibing Wu have all joined Sinner in retiring.