Tennis Players Battling Heat at Shanghai Masters Amid Rising Injuries

SHANGHAI, China — Tennis players are facing extreme weather conditions at the Shanghai Masters, leading to numerous retirements and injuries. Jannik Sinner, 24, retired from his match after suffering from severe cramps following two and a half hours in the sauna-like heat of the stadium’s court.

Conditions have been brutal, with players like Terence Atmane and Hamad Medjedovic also withdrawing due to the oppressive heat. Francisco Comesaña appeared near collapse during his match on Sunday and needed assistance from opponent Lorenzo Musetti. Despite competing at night, players such as Musetti have also struggled with the high temperatures.

Meanwhile, in Wuhan, conditions have been similarly challenging for female players. Both Emma Raducanu and Jelena Ostapenko retired during their matches. Bianca Andreescu shared a video on social media showing her wringing sweat from her socks, commenting humorously on the sauna-like environment.

This trend of retirements is not new. Athletes frequently push their limits in a sport known for its intense physical demands, yet current measures to protect player safety in extreme conditions appear to be lacking. Holger Rune questioned the absence of a heat policy from the ATP, asking, “Do you want a player to die on the court?”

While Grand Slam tournaments and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) have instituted extreme-heat policies, the ATP has yet to implement any formal guidelines. An ATP representative stated that decisions regarding play during extreme heat lie with on-site supervisors and medical teams.

Light at the end of the tunnel includes ongoing evaluations by the ATP regarding potential heat measures, as player safety continues to be a primary concern. The difference in treatment between the ATP and WTA has drawn attention, with calls for a standardized extreme heat policy in tennis leagues.

The Shanghai Masters has seen seven retirements this week alone, adding to a staggering total of 41 retirements at ATP Masters 1000 events this year. Issues of player welfare have been increasingly highlighted, especially after a concerning number of withdrawals and injuries this season.

Amid the struggles, players like Alex de Minaur have managed to achieve milestones, with de Minaur celebrating his 50th tour-level victory this season. However, the physical strain from the weather continues to hang over the event, prompting calls for regulatory changes.

As elite players contend with higher temperatures associated with global warming, the tennis community is increasingly recognizing the need to adjust its policies. Both fans and players agree that a unified approach to health and safety is necessary for a sport that thrives on its rigorous physical demands.