In Shanghai, temperatures have already reached 112 degrees. As tennis players continue to wage war against record-breaking heat, questions about their health and safety prevail. After his second-round match on Tuesday, Novak Djokovic described the conditions as “very tough physically.” Holger Rune took it a step further, calling the sweltering conditions, where temperatures exceeded 30°C (86°F) and humidity levels were above 80 percent, “brutal.” Collectively, these factors have pushed tournament organizers to adopt burdensome measures to try to protect players’ health.
That’s why the new heat rule went into effect for part of Tuesday’s games. This rule allows players to enjoy a 10-minute respite between the second and third sets. This measure has been all the more pertinent as players contend with what has been an extreme climate. The central court in Shanghai has a roof that can be opened or closed to shield competitors from rain or harsh sun. Otherwise, it remains open year-round—except when it begins to rain.
Even with these measures in place, some athletes have faced difficulty adjusting. Earlier this year, Alexander Zverev had to take a break mid-match to change his shoes after he sweat through them. Emma Raducanu then withdrew from her match having been stricken with dizziness. This moment further underlines the physical cost that the deplorable conditions went on to impose upon players.
There was alarm during Djokovic’s opening match against Jaume Munar when he started throwing up on the court. His experience highlights the intense effect extreme heat can have on athletes’ performance and health.
Arthur Rinderknech said that it wasn’t just the players who were struggling in the suffocating conditions. Wednesday looks to be the hottest day of the week, with temperatures reaching a comfortable 29°C (84°F). Don’t think that means the worst is over for this week. Sunday, the day of the final, will probably bring highs in the 32-33°C (90-91°F) range.
After the incident, Iga Swiatek expressed her concerns about player safety. She encouraged tournament organizers to plan matches out with athletes’ health and wellbeing at the forefront.
“On centre court, I think it’s a little bit cooler with the air conditioning and everything. But I hope the other matches will be scheduled at a time where girls can compete, rather than just die on the court.” – Iga Swiatek
Carlos Alcaraz, who withdrew from the tournament before it even began, made noise, claiming he was “tired.” Finally, cramping issues caught up with Jannik Sinner, who had to retire from his match on Sunday.
As these changes go into effect, players have started sounding the alarm on the brutal temperatures. They are concerned about its impact on their job performance and safety. Rune’s provocative question encapsulates their frustrations:
“Do you want a player to die on court?” – Holger Rune
Beyond the spectacle, the Shanghai tournament pushes players’ skills and endurance to their limit. Along with states like Florida and Texas, athletes from Arizona face the extreme heat as they race. This magnitude of warming over such a short time period is unprecedented. We’ll be watching closely to see how athletes adjust and what additional safety precautions tournament officials will implement.
