Novak Djokovic experienced nausea, Alexander Zverev’s shoes were drenched with sweat, and Emma Raducanu withdrew from her time/” title=”Barcelona vs PSG: UEFA Champions League Showdown – Latest Team News, Kickoff …, and Lineups Revealed!”>match due to dizziness-highlighting the extreme conditions faced by top tennis players as they compete under intense heat in China this week.
Holger Rune from Denmark described the sweltering environment at the Shanghai Masters, where temperatures soared above 30°C (86°F) and humidity exceeded 80%, as “relentless.” The young player‘s stark question, “Do you want a player to collapse on court?” underscored the severity of the situation.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, admitted on Tuesday that the heat posed a “significant physical challenge” as he pushed through an ankle injury to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. The 38-year-old Serbian star was visibly affected, frequently bending over between points and even vomiting during his match against Spain’s Jaume Munar. After an unforced error, Djokovic lay on the court while medical staff attended to him, yet he managed to rally and win in a grueling three-set battle.
The tournament’s landscape shifted after world number one Carlos Alcaraz withdrew pre-event to rest, and defending champion Jannik Sinner retired early due to cramping. Meanwhile, third-ranked Alexander Zverev succumbed on Monday, pausing mid-match to change his soaked shoes as sweat poured out of them.
Fans in the stands sought relief by fanning themselves and applying cooling packs to their foreheads amid the oppressive humidity. Although the main court in Shanghai features a roof, it remains open except during rain-an unlikely prospect given the dry forecast for the remainder of the event.
Rune has urged the ATP, the men’s tennis governing body, to implement a formal heat policy for tournaments like the Shanghai Masters. The ATP responded by emphasizing player safety as paramount and confirmed it is reviewing potential heat-related regulations. Currently, decisions regarding weather interruptions, including heat, are made by the on-site ATP supervisor in collaboration with medical teams and local officials.
While conditions eased slightly on Wednesday with temperatures around 29°C (84°F), forecasts predict a return to highs of 32-33°C (90-91°F) by Sunday, the day of the final. French player Arthur Rinderknech, who advanced to the quarterfinals, noted that the heat affected everyone involved-not just the athletes. “It was tough for the ball kids, the umpires, and the spectators alike,” he said, describing how everyone was constantly trying to cool down.
Similar punishing heat is being felt in Wuhan, central China, where leading women’s players are competing. Both cities are experiencing above-average temperatures for this time of year, a trend scientists attribute to human-driven climate change causing more frequent and severe weather extremes.
Unlike the ATP, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) enforces a heat policy. At the Wuhan Open on Tuesday, former Grand Slam champions Emma Raducanu and Jelena Ostapenko retired mid-match due to heat-related issues. Raducanu, in particular, withdrew after medical checks revealed dizziness and abnormal blood pressure.
World number two Iga Swiatek called on tournament organizers to prioritize player welfare when scheduling matches on outdoor courts, which lack roofing. “Centre court is somewhat cooler thanks to air conditioning,” she said, “but I hope matches are arranged so players can compete safely rather than risk collapsing.”
The WTA’s heat rule, activated on Monday due to temperatures exceeding 30°C, allows for a 10-minute break between the second and third sets and permits partial or full closure of the centre-court roof to shield players. This regulation was also enforced during parts of Tuesday’s play and is expected to be repeatedly applied throughout the week in Wuhan, where temperatures are forecast to remain above 30°C, including on the day of the final.
The Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai will host the concluding matches of the Shanghai Masters this weekend, as players brace for the ongoing battle against the punishing heat.
