Jessica Pegula believes coping with the heat is simply part of being a professional tennis player. After surviving a grueling three-set win over Hailey Baptiste at the Wuhan Open, the American spoke out against the WTA’s current heat policy, suggesting that players should be prepared to face tough weather conditions rather than rely on special measures to stay cool.
How Severe Have the Heat Conditions Been at the Wuhan Open This Week?
The WTA 1000 event in Wuhan has been dealing with sweltering conditions all week. The tournament has been forced to take emergency precautions with temperatures reaching nearly 95 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity making it feel even hotter.
Play on outer courts was sometimes suspended, while matches on Center Court continued under a partially closed roof, offering some shade and relief to players and fans. The WTA’s heat rule, which allows for delays or adjustments when on-court temperatures reach dangerous levels, has been triggered multiple times throughout the event.
Several players have shown just how brutal the weather has been. Bianca Andreescu shared a short Instagram story wringing out a soaked sock after training. At the same time, Iga Świątek posted a sweaty practice photo captioned “hot” and a clip of herself twisting out her drenched T-shirt.
Emma Raducanu went further, posting a screenshot of Wuhan’s forecast on Threads to highlight how extreme the heat felt. Unfortunately, Raducanu’s warning proved accurate as she was forced to retire from her opening match against Ann Li while trailing 6-1, 4-1 after appearing dizzy and fatigued.
— . (@user_991827) October 10, 2025
The medical team checked her blood pressure and temperature before she called it quits, visibly drained from the heat.
What Did Jessica Pegula Say About Playing in the Wuhan Heat and the WTA’s Heat Policy?
Speaking to Tennis365 after her match, Pegula said she didn’t find the heat particularly bothersome and believes players should adapt to such conditions. “I think the roof situation obviously helps. It was super humid today,” she said. “I honestly wasn’t bothered by the heat at all. It was just very humid. So I was just sweating a lot, but having that little bit of shade, I think, definitely helps.”
The world No. 6 added that while the heat rule serves an important purpose, it may need some reconsideration. “The heat rule went into effect until it calmed down? So I think it’s just something that we have to keep looking at the heat rule,” Pegula explained. “The heat, honestly, is part of the conditions, and it’s part of our sport.”
Her bigger issue, however, lies with how retractable roofs are used inconsistently across tournaments. “I also think that it can get a little bit confusing when the conditions can kind of change drastically based on a tournament just deciding that they want some shade for fans,” Pegula said.
“That can really change conditions as well. Sometimes, I don’t necessarily think it is always the right thing to do, or maybe totally fair as well, because at the same time, you know, if it’s listed as an outdoor tournament, you should be ready to play in the heat,” added the American.
Pegula concluded that she supports activating the heat rule when it’s clearly unsafe for players or ball kids, but maintained that professionals should expect to compete in tough conditions.
