Kermode New ATP Chief Wants The Current Heat Policy Reviewed

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 17th January 2014

Kermode New ATP Chief Wants The Current Heat Policy Reviewed

epaselect epa04025924 Rafal Nadal of Spain during a practice session ahead of the third round at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 17 January 2014. EPA/NARENDRA SHRESTHA |

Just a week ago the ATP World Tour’s new executive chairman Chris Kermode made his first speech to the players, directors and other leading officials of men’s tennis. Now he is demanding the Australian Open provide clearer guidance about when severe heat will stop play at Melbourne Park.

Today was the fourth in a row when temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) and a succession of players maintaining their health was being put in jeopardy has forced Kermode to speak out.

“Clear messaging is paramount,” said Kermode, casting a doubt over the current method of leaving the decision up to tournament referee Wayne McEwen’s discretion.

“We need to make sure that players are very clear when they step out onto the court about what temperature means the roof goes on or a game is stopped.”

According to the Australian Open rule-book, the tournament uses a combination of air temperature, humidity and wind speed (the Wet Bulb Global Temperature reading, or WBGT) – rather than just air temperature – to decide whether conditions are suitable for play.

There is no set number for the WBGT that triggers a halt in play, but a combination of high temperature and high humidity are the conditions that most affect players, spectators and personnel. A WBGT reading of 26 sees ice vests sent to all courts and a reading of 30.1 sees a 10-minute break introduced to women’s singles matches, but only at one set all.

The next threshold is at the discretion of the tournament referee and sees the extreme heat policy introduced, when the tournament director can call for play to be suspended at the end of the current set in each match. Play can resume on Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena once the retractable roofs are brought across and the air-conditioning is active.

Kermode continued: “There are so many views on this, even within the players, so there’s not a consistent view.

“On our own tour we have a rule where the supervisor has the discretion to play or not play. Player health is of the most paramount importance to me and the governing body, and I continue to talk to all of them and get their views.

“We on our tour have slightly different rules. We have three-set matches, and I think that makes a difference. Generally we play later, and there are rules in place with a bit more flexibility on our tour.

“Each tournament has to make their own and the Australian Open is in charge here. They will know about heat more than anyone.

We’ve had exceptional circumstances in the last few days. Just being outside is tough. We’ll monitor this, gather information, constantly review it and talk about the best way to approach it in the future.”

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, Australian Open, Chris Kermode, heat, Melbourne Park, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News