Good morning, Court Theorists! ☀️

We’re one day away from some live tennis when the Next Gen Finals kick off in Jeddah. Until then, let’s get caught up on some tennis news.

Today’s tennis mood: Eyebrow raising with some good chuckles.

Let’s tennis!
-Allen

Three Points

🎾 Signed up: Novak Djokovic has entered to play the ATP 250 Adelaide International next month, tournament organizers in Australia announced on Tuesday. The decision signals a different approach to 2026 for Djokovic, who has played this Australian Open warm-up event only twice in his career. As it stands, other headliners will include Jack Draper and Joao Fonseca.

🎾 Finally: The ATP Tour is adding a heat rule for the entire tour in 2026 — a measure that the WTA enacted decades ago — to “[strengthen] protections for players competing in extreme conditions.” The tour will utilize the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a matrix that considers air temperature, humidity, and complicating factors such as sun and wind. Either player can request a 10-minute cooling break after splitting sets when the threshold is reached. During the break, under the supervision of the ATP medical staff, players may take advantage of cooling measures, hydrate, change clothing, and shower, according to the ATP.

  • What he said: Leave it to Holger Rune to put it as simply as possible. During a medical timeout in Shanghai this year, Rune posed the question: “Why doesn’t the ATP have a heat rule? You want a player to die on the court?” (h/t James Hansen at The Athletic)
  • Recently: Unfortunately, the new rule did not arrive in time for Mats Rozenkranz, who was defaulted earlier this year for taking a quick rinse between sets, even though he did it in the allotted time.

🎾 Rolex re-ups: The ATP announced on Tuesday that it has renewed its partnership with Rolex, continuing its position as the official timekeeper and gold partner of the ATP.

  • What he said: “It’s difficult to understate the commitment Rolex has shown towards our sport and the ATP Tour,” said Daniele Sano, ATP chief business officer. “For almost 50 years, it has championed the qualities that define tennis – elegance, prestige, and precision. As a valued partner of the ATP since 2005, we’re proud to reinforce such an iconic legacy.”
  • And what he said: “While celebrating the dedication and remarkable performances at the highest levels of the game, Rolex supports the leading tournaments, governing bodies and players, as they continue to shape the future of the sport,” said Arnaud Boetsch, Rolex director of communication and image.
  • Yes, but: Absent from the press release is the duration of the partnership deal. That’s highly unusual for an ATP announcement, even if it’s a renewal.
  • Noteworthy: In Boetsch’s inclusion of “leading tournaments, governing bodies and players,” there might be a subtle message: all of you get your acts together and work out your differences for the good of the sport. (I’ll leave a potential ‘or else’ scenario to your imagination.)