Djokovic Sides With Opinion That New Tennis Balls Cause Injuries For Players

| by Nurein Ahmed

Novak Djokovic has commented on the long-running saga about tennis balls causing injury to the players and believes that there is a direct correlation.

Frequent ball changes remain a bone of contention between the players and the governing bodies. On one side the tennis players have spoken against it. Last month, PTPA member Vasek Pospsil accused the ATP and WTA of 'slowing the game down' by introducing heavier balls.

The Canadian claimed that if the changes won't be revised any time soon, it will progressively get worse for the players' bodies. Recently at the China Open, the issue resurfaced again, with multiple players chiming in on the discourse.

Daniil Medvedev's encyclopedia of one-liners has another metaphorical reference to tennis balls, likening them to grapefruit. Djokovic, who has dealt with an elbow injury before, opines that ball changes have an adverse effect on the body. In an interview with Sportal, the 36-year-old 'favors' retaining one ball at all ATP tournaments.

Novak Djokovic Hits Back At Rafael Nadal After 'Frustrated' Claims
Novak Djokovic Hits Back At Rafael Nadal After 'Frustrated' Claims

Heavier balls are synonymously known to impart more strain on the wrist and shoulder muscles leading to injuries, something Djokovic says affects the joints when you end up switching the balls as many as three times in under a month.

There has been a long list of players who have complained about picking up injuries to the wrist and shoulders and the issue is veering into a crisis at this point. Djokovic has called on the governing bodies to find a solution, even if this means renegotiating deals with the ball sponsors.

"There is certainly a connection between frequent injuries of the wrist, elbow, shoulder joint with balls and their changes. I am absolutely in favor of choosing one ball with which we will play all ATP tournaments."

"It is different and more difficult with the Grand Slams, because each of the biggest tournaments we play negotiates separately which sponsor they will have for the balls, but this also happens on the ATP Tour. Every tournament has the right to negotiate. However, we simply have to find a way to unify, so that in each category on the ATP Tour we have one ball to play with, of course depending on the surface."

"Sometimes that change of balls happens three times in three weeks depending on where we play, and it affects the health of the players and the joints themselves. In that sense, I support the players complaining and asking the ATP to find a way to resolve it. They have to find a solution."

How Alcaraz Can Overtake Djokovic In Yearly Prize Money Earnings In Shanghai
How Alcaraz Can Overtake Djokovic In Yearly Prize Money Earnings In Shanghai

Read the full article

Just in

Look at more articles