Paula Badosa and Gastao Elias have joined a growing chorus of tennis players, including Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who have raised concerns about the frequent ball changes leading to players’ injuries. Daniil Medvedev initiated this discussion by expressing concerns about wrist injuries he believed the tennis balls used at the 2023 Australian Open had caused.
The 27-year-old Russian sensation called on the ATP to address this issue. Seasoned pros like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Taylor Fritz also raised similar concerns. They too faced injuries which they attributed to the heavier balls and their frequent alterations on tour.
Paula Badosa, who has battled a back injury this season, offered her support to fellow players dealing with physical issues due to frequent ball changes. Badosa emphasized that this issue was not exclusive to the ATP, highlighting similar concerns within the WTA. She stated, “Agree! The issue is not only ATP unfortunately… With the WTA we are having the same problems for years as well. We need a change from both sides.”
Agree! The issue is not only ATP unfortunately… With the WTA we are having the same problems for years as well. We need a change from both sides.
— Paula Badosa (@paulabadosa) October 9, 2023
Adding to this growing discontent, Portuguese tennis player Gastao Elias demanded compensation for physiotherapy, asserting, “I demand @atptour to pay for all the physiotherapy I will need after playing with these balls they are making us play with. I’ve been on tour for many years, and I’ve never seen anything like this. This is inhumane.”
I demand @atptour to pay for all the physiotherapy I will need after playing with these balls they are making us play with. I’ve been on tour for many years and I’ve never seen anything like this.
THIS IS INHUMANE!— Gastão Elias (@GastaoElias) October 9, 2023
The ATP and WTA players are united in their demands regarding the ball issue. It is high time for the tennis administration to address this issue once and for all or provide the compensation rightfully demanded by the players.
What is leading to tennis ball changes on the tour
In the professional world of tennis, the choice of tennis balls is not uniform. The International Tennis Federation rules allow slight variations in the specifications of the balls, such as diameter and weight, categorizing them as “regular duty” or “extra duty” based on the thickness of the felt weave.
Every professional tournament decides which balls to use, often as part of sponsorship agreements and financial considerations. For instance, the Australian Open opts for Dunlop balls, the French Open chooses a ball from Wilson tailored for their red clay courts, and Wimbledon goes with Slazenger. Many players have complained about this inconsistency but accept it as part of the game.
Carlos Alcaraz, the top seed in Beijing, summed up the sentiment, acknowledging that players needed to adapt to the varying ball changes at each tournament. In addition to this concern, the growing weight of the balls has worsened the problem for players. At the 2023 AO Open, Medvedev first voiced his concerns on this issue, stating, “I think this [Dunlop ball] should be reconsidered.”
There were discussions a few years back that the ATP/WTA wanted to “slow the game down” to have longer points for fans. The balls have been getting incrementally heavier and surprise surprise, it’s killing our bodies. Almost every player I’ve spoken to.. [1/2]
— Vasek Pospisil (@VasekPospisil) September 2, 2023
The current situation has its roots in decisions made years ago to slow down the game, leading to slower surfaces and less lively balls, in quest for long and thrilling rallies. The prevalent ‘Extra Duty’ ball, with its heavier fiber, felt, results in a fluffier ball that feels weightier on impact, contributing to longer points, which has more often than not resulted in players’ injuries.