'Disaster Physically': Medvedev Voices Concerns About Slow Tennis Balls On Slow Courts

| by Sebastian Dahlman

Daniil Medvedev is not letting go of the slow tennis balls as he opened the topic up once more after his first-round win at the 2023 Vienna Open.

It's been a rather controversial topic for much of this year because many players actually complained about it. The conditions in most events are slowing down, and while some courts still play rather fast, the tennis balls used this year are rather slow.

They get pretty heavy quickly, making it very hard to hit any kind of winner, which obviously makes the points drag out. To compensate, players are hitting as hard as ever; however, that puts more strain on their joints along with the impact of the heavy balls upon contact.

We've seen many players complain about physical issues they never had before, with many suspecting the new tennis balls to be at fault. Medvedev isn't bothered by the conditions in Vienna because the event still plays fast, which is his preference but he's very worried about the physical impact of the balls on players.

Analyzing Sabalenka And Swiatek Year-End No. 1 Ranking Scenarios At WTA Finals
Analyzing Sabalenka And Swiatek Year-End No. 1 Ranking Scenarios At WTA Finals

The rule could be at least not to put slow balls on slow hard courts and perhaps slow balls on fast hard courts. And so on, medium could be medium or fast, something like that. Because sometimes, for example here in Vienna, the balls get bigger. But the course is quite fast, so I don't think it's a big problem.

The biggest problem is when it's a slow pitch and slow balls, it's a disaster physically and yes, I hope a solution can be found.

The Tours will have to address it sooner rather than later because far too many players are speaking out against it, which isn't good PR for the product. Eventually, you must also protect the players because wrist injuries are on the rise, and it's not the food to blame.

Paris Masters Marks First Tournament Since US Open With All Top 10 Players In Action
Paris Masters Marks First Tournament Since US Open With All Top 10 Players In Action

Read the full article

Just in

Look at more articles