Danielle Collins thinks there is a rule that the tennis authorities absolutely need to implement and that's stopping play in extremely windy conditions.
In 1998, the Australian Open introduced a heat rule policy. Since then, it has been updated multiple times, with the last update coming in 2019.
The WTA introduced its heat policy already in 1992, while the ATP introduced one for the 2026 season.
When the temperatures reach 30.1°C (86.2°F), players are allowed to request a 10-minute cooling break. In case the temperature exceeds 32.2°C (90°F), play can be suspended entirely.
Collins, who will not compete at this year's Australian Open but works for Tennis Channel as an analyst, recalled on Tennis Channel one specific match from the start of her career. According to the 2022 Australian Open finalist, things were flying all over the place during an ITF match against Sofia Kenin in 2017, but they still had to play.
Collins: It's crazy that we don't have a wind rule in tennis
“Oh, my goodness. Flashback, I think, to 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma at an ITF, a $25,000 event, playing against Sofia Kenin. I’m guessing the winds were up to 60 miles per hour that match. At one point, the referee’s chair blew over, trash cans, balls were flying. The net came out from under the ground at one point, and they ended up moving us indoors," 2024 Miami champion Collins said on Tennis Channel.
“I did get the win over Kenin. Made it to the finals, and then, yeah, the next day was just as windy, and we played outside against Sachia Vickery. Yeah, that’s the crazy thing about tennis, is we don’t have a wind rule. We need one.”
Should pro tennis have a wind rule? 💨
Danielle Collins is all for it 👇 pic.twitter.com/2qN1ud4voF
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 9, 2026
Collins made a reasonable point when explaining why tennis needs a wind rule. Now, it remains to be seen if the tennis authorities will do something about it.
