Medvedev speaks out about tennis balls: Are they causing injuries to players?
ATPMonday, 27 February 2023 at 07:00
Updated at Friday, 10 January 2025 at 14:33
Daniil Medvedev spoke out about the issue of tennis balls used on the ATP Tour, as he thinks they might be causing injuries to players.
The Russian player is a former ATP World No. 1. However, he has struggled with tennis balls in recent months. Ahead of the Australian Open, where he lost to Sebastian Korda, Medvedev first felt some discomfort in his wrist.
Initially, he though it was only his issue, but after talking with a doubles player at the Rotterdam Open, he realized that it was a problem affecting more players than just him.
"I think the toughest for me was to get used to the balls. I want to talk a little bit more about it because in Australia I felt like these balls were not good for hard courts, and in the match with Korda, before the match, I had a very big pain in my wrist, but I thought, okay, that’s my problem, so I’m not going to talk much about it."
"Then in Rotterdam, a doubles player came to me and started talking about balls and (said) that everyone has problems with their elbow, wrist. He thinks it’s because of the balls. I was like, 'Wow, so I’m not the only one.'"
Although he triumphed in Rotterdam and won the title also in Doha, he doesn't think that the balls in use are good for hard courts. According to the Russian player, they get "very fluffy," which makes it difficult to play with them.
"I think that these balls are not good for hard courts. They get very fluffy. It’s a big shock to play them with your racquet. I think this should be reconsidered because I feel like if I don’t do enough work on my wrist every day it’s gonna be very painful."
Medvedev wanted to speak out, as he knows many might not have the courage to do so, but he wanted to lead by example, and maybe more players will join him.
"If there are going to be 15 players that come out and say, ‘Yeah, I feel the same,’ then it’s a problem of the balls. I’m just going to wait and see what happens when other players get asked this question."
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