Tennis in the heat : a panel discussion

Abstract

Tennis is played globally across diverse climates and surfaces, exposing athletes to variable levels of environmental heat stress. With rising global temperatures and more frequent heat events, protecting players’ health has become a major priority in the sport. This panel discussion aimed to synthesize current evidence and expert perspectives on measuring, managing, and mitigating heat stress in tennis, with a focus on harmonizing policies across governing bodies and player groups. Experts from sport science, medicine, and tournament operations reviewed recent advances in heat measurement tools, including the limitations of the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and the emergence of tennis-specific heat stress models. Evidence-based cooling strategies—such as ice towels, shaded recovery, and cold-water immersion—were discussed alongside differentiated policy needs for men, women, juniors, seniors, and wheelchair athletes. The discussion further highlighted challenges in achieving effective heat acclimatisation within professional travel schedules and underscored the importance of proactive medical readiness and player education. Enhanced consistency in heat policies, improved access to cooling resources, and continued collaboration between scientists and governing bodies are essential to safeguard player health and performance under increasing environmental heat stress.