ATP bosses have been urged to introduce a major rule change following drama at the Shanghai Masters.
Novak Djokovic overcame injury problems and a health scare to advance to the quarter finals, where he will face Zizou Bergs. The Serbian defeated Jaume Munar 6-3 5-7 6-2, but his victory was far from straightforward.
After taking the first set, he struggled throughout the second, and even fell to the floor following a long rally. He was helped to his chair by medical staff, who checked his blood pressure checked, before he returned to the court to take the victory.
The 38-year-old has endured a tough start to the tournament, having thrown up in the previous round against Yannick Hanfmann.
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That match had been played in tough conditions, as temperatures exceeded 30C and the humidity reached 80%.
Although conditions were not as brutal against Munar, Djokovic admitted the environment continued to pose a challenge for players on court.
Djokovic said: "It's same for every player out on the court, but it's brutal.
"It's brutal when you have over 80 per cent of humidity day after day, particularly for the guys when they're playing during the day with heat, with sun, it's even more brutal. For me, biologically it's a bit more challenging to deal with it. But I had to really weather the storm today. Yannick played an incredible match from the beginning."
The tough conditions in Shanghai have prompted some of the game's biggest stars to call for a change, with world number 11 Holger Rune among them.
Rune, who has also reached the quarter-finals, suggested that the ATP Tour should introduce a heat rule similar to those in place at Grand Slam events.
At the Grand Slams, heat rules are designed to protect players from extreme conditions.
They may allow matches to be suspended or players to be given extended breaks.
It is most commonly used at the Australian Open, who have also introduced a heat stress scale to grade the severity of the conditions.
After his last 16 victory in Shanghai, Rune explained: “I think there should be a heat rule like there are in the Grand Slam.
“I think every player would agree on that. Today was better, today was less hot. But again, it was less hot, but if it was more normal temperature today would be very hot.
"I think it was like 31 degrees and very humid. But compared to the other days it was pretty brutal.
“So I think there should be some kind of rule.
"We can handle a certain amount of heat because, you know, we are fit, we’re strong, we’re mentally strong as well, but there’s always a limit."
Topics: Novak Djokovic, Tennis
James Taylor