NEW YORK—Stanislas Wawrinka would like to see a heat rule implemented for male players.
The first four days of the U.S. Open have seen hot and humid conditions, as well as 12 retirements in the best-of-five set men's draw—a new Open-era record in the majors—and two in the best-of-three set women's draw. Players have stopped playing for various reasons, not just heat. Other players like Mardy Fish and Vasek Pospisil have completed their matches but been severely hampered by cramps.
"We can be better physically, maybe, first thing to do," said Wawrinka following his three-hour, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6 second-round win, but added that he would like to see the men allowed a 10-minute break between sets once the heat and humidity reaches a predetermined level. The WTA allows players to take a 10-minute break in between the second and third sets: