‘You Want a Player to Die?’ Heat is on Tennis After Players Wilt in Extreme Conditions
The 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters has become a cauldron of controversy, with extreme heat and suffocating humidity turning the ATP’s premier Asian event into a battle for survival rather than supremacy. Temperatures hovering around 30°C (86°F) with over 80% humidity have claimed multiple victims, including world No. 2 Jannik Sinner’s retirement due to severe cramps and Holger Rune’s impassioned rant questioning if organizers “want a player to die on court.” As retirements pile up—seven through four rounds, including Terence Atmane and Hamad Medjedovic—the tournament has exposed glaring flaws in the ATP’s player welfare policies, prompting calls for a formal heat rule akin to those in Grand Slams and the WTA Tour.
The Breaking Point: Sinner’s Cramps and Rune’s Fury
The tipping point came on October 5 when Sinner, the defending champion, was forced to retire in the third set against Tallon Griekspoor while trailing 3-2. The Italian, who had dominated the first two sets, collapsed in visible agony from thigh cramps, his legs buckling under the relentless conditions. “My body sent me a signal—the signal to stop immediately,” Sinner later explained, highlighting the physical toll of the “brutal” environment.
Rune’s outburst followed the next day during his third-round win over Ugo Humbert (6-4, 6-4). Visibly drained and shirtless during a medical timeout, the 22-year-old Dane confronted ATP supervisor Gerry Armstrong: “Why doesn’t the ATP have a heat rule? You want a player to die on the court?” Rune, who had his blood pressure taken and an ice towel applied, later elaborated: “We can handle a certain amount of heat, because we’re strong… but there is always a limit.” His plea resonated, echoing similar complaints from Novak Djokovic, who paused for breath and vomited during his 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 win over Jaume Munar, calling the humidity “brutal” and “even more tough for guys playing daytime matches.”
The carnage continued: Francisco Comesaña nearly collapsed against Lorenzo Musetti, requiring opponent assistance; Taylor Fritz battled near-exhaustion vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard; and David Goffin and Casper Ruud retired mid-match. With 41 retirements or walkovers at ATP Masters 1000 events this year—nine in Madrid and eight in Cincinnati—the Shanghai saga has blown the draw wide open, sidelining top seeds and creating chaos.
ATP’s Response: Player Safety “Top Priority” Under Review
The ATP issued a statement on October 7, confirming that “player safety remains a top priority” and a formal heat policy is “under active review” in consultation with players, tournaments, and medical experts. “Additional measures, including the implementation of an official heat policy, are currently being evaluated,” the governing body said, acknowledging the “string of retirements” as a wake-up call. Unlike the WTA, which mandates extended breaks above 30°C, or Grand Slams’ 10-minute cooling timeouts, the ATP lacks standardized protocols beyond basic medical timeouts, leaving decisions to umpires and supervisors.
Djokovic, the oldest man to reach a Masters 1000 quarterfinal at 38, urged reform: “It’s the same for every player, but it’s brutal when you have over 80% humidity day after day.” Rune doubled down: “I think every player would agree on that—there should be a heat rule like in the Grand Slams.” Griekspoor, Sinner’s opponent, added: “First of all, this is definitely not the way you want to win. Brutal conditions here in Shanghai all week already.”
The Bigger Picture: A Growing Crisis in Tennis
Shanghai’s ordeal is symptomatic of a broader epidemic. The tour’s “follow the sun” calendar—back-to-back events in humid Asia after North America’s hard-court swing—exacerbates fatigue, with injury rates up 20% since 2023 per ATP data. Alcaraz withdrew pre-tournament citing an ankle issue, while Zverev lost to Arthur Rinderknech after changing sweat-soaked shoes mid-match. Rinderknech quipped: “Half the matches, the guys end up with cramps or vomiting… We’re using an incredible amount of shirts.”
Experts like those at The Guardian argue tennis’s fragmented governance—ATP, WTA, ITF, and Grand Slams—hinders unified action, unlike soccer’s FIFA or Formula 1’s FIA with formal heat policies. Rune’s “die on court” plea has galvanized players, with Djokovic and Sinner’s high-profile struggles amplifying the urgency. As temperatures rise through Sunday’s final—potentially hitting 34°C—the ATP’s review can’t come soon enough.
| Player Affected | Match Outcome | Heat Impact |
|—————–|—————|————-|
| Jannik Sinner | Retired vs. Tallon Griekspoor (R3) | Severe thigh cramps; “signal to stop” |
| Holger Rune | Won vs. Ugo Humbert (R3) | Medical timeout; “want a player to die?” rant |
| Novak Djokovic | Won vs. Jaume Munar (R3) | Vomited; “brutal” humidity call |
| Terence Atmane | Retired vs. Camilo Ugo Carabelli (R1) | Heat stress at 4-4 |
| Francisco Comesaña | vs. Lorenzo Musetti | Near-collapse; opponent assistance |
The heat is on—literally—and tennis must act before another “brutal” chapter unfolds. Player safety isn’t a luxury; in this sauna, it’s survival.
