![\"Jannik](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/a4372ccb2aae949ae28cdfe7b4931dee8e919504.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nDjokovic had called the conditions \u201cbrutal\u201d earlier in the tournament.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Tuesday, Emma Raducanu retired from her Wuhan Open match against Ann Li after struggling with exhaustion and having her blood pressure checked on a hot and humid afternoon.<\/p>\n
The governing body of men\u2019s tennis could consider a formal heat rule after the string of retirements in Shanghai this week blew the draw wide open, as top players wilted under soaring temperatures and punishing humidity.<\/p>\n
Sinner\u2019s title defence ended in agony on Sunday when the Italian struggled to walk due to cramp in his right thigh before he retired in the deciding set of his third-round clash with Tallon Griekspoor.<\/p>\n
Holger Rune was heard asking an official during a medical timeout in his meeting with Ugo Humbert if players had to \u201cdie on court\u201d amid the heat and humidity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the same for every player out on the court, but it\u2019s brutal,\u201d Djokovic said after he battled to victory against Hanfmann.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jannik Sinner was forced to withdraw because of severe cramps in Shanghai.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s brutal when you have over 80 per cent of humidity day after day, particularly for the guys when they\u2019re playing during the day with the heat, with sun, it\u2019s even more brutal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Others including Casper Ruud, Tomas Machac, David Goffin, Terrence Atmane, Hamad Medjedovic and Wu Yibing were unable to pull through and retired mid-match due to illness or injury in the early rounds.<\/p>\n
Loading<\/p>\n
The need for a formal ATP heat rule had sprung up in August in Cincinnati when Arthur Rinderknech collapsed on court during a match in sweltering conditions before handing Felix Auger-Aliassime the victory.<\/p>\n
Under ATP regulations, decisions on the suspension of play due to adverse weather conditions \u2013 including extreme heat<\/a> \u2013 lie with an onsite ATP supervisor who coordinates with medical teams at the venue as well as local authorities.<\/p>\n However, the elite body said it was open to change.<\/p>\n \u201cThis 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,\u201d the ATP said.<\/p>\n Loading<\/p>\n \u201cPlayer safety remains a top priority for the ATP.\u201d<\/p>\n Several professional sports including soccer, Formula 1 and cycling have put in place formal policies to deal with extreme weather<\/a>.<\/p>\n