In recent months, the tennis world has been rocked by a growing controversy over the quality of balls used in competitions. Top players, including big names like Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, have raised concerns that they could affect not only the game, but also the health of athletes.
Daniil Medvedev opened the proceedings with a scathing criticism during a tournament in Shanghai, pointing out that balls have become “too light” and cause arm injuries. The issue gained further attention at the ATP Finals in Turin, where Alexander Zverev, the current world No. 2 and a member of the Player Council, shared worrying observations.
Zverev noted that balls have become slower since the pandemic, attributing the change to companies using different rubber materials to reduce costs. He estimated that current balls are between 30% and 60% slower than they used to be. Adding to the discussion, Medvedev revealed that he had to adapt his equipment to deal with the new situation: “After Covid I had to change the strings to softer ones to increase the speed of my ball.” This change, according to him, compromised his strong point in the game.
Other players such as Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud have confirmed these observations. Rublev noted that there have been significant changes in the behavior of balls in recent years, making it difficult for players to control them effectively. Ruud added that the balls appear to be “too soft and large,” suggesting a need for more consistency in the material.
For Alex De Minaur, an ideal solution would be to use the same balls all over the world, to eliminate irregularities in performance and reduce the risk of injuries.
The tennis ball crisis is not just a technical issue; it could have significant implications for the health of players and the integrity of the game itself. With athletes increasingly voicing concerns about the materials used, it is vital that sports organizations address these concerns. In an increasingly competitive and demanding sporting environment, the quality of equipment plays a crucial role in ensuring optimal performance and safety for all athletes involved.
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