'I Hope Iga Is Happy': Jabeur Jokes About Recent Ball Change

| by Evita Mueller

Last year's Cincinnati Masters used lighter balls which caused some, like Iga Swiatek, to complain about a lack of control which is why Ons Jabeur mentioned her when she asked about these heavier balls.

Judging by the way Swiatek has performed at this year's Cincinnati Masters, it seems like she won't mind the change. After all, she campaigned for it after finding last year's balls hard to control. As someone who wins 99 % of her points by outhitting her opponent, it made sense.

Ons Jabeur might not be the biggest fan of the balls though she didn't outright say so. Following her match with Donna Vekic, the Tunisian joked about the question mentioning Swiatek, wondering whether she's happy now.

Yeah, my shoulder is so sore (smiling). I don't know why Iga and the others wanted to change, to be honest with you. I hope Iga is happy (smiling). No, but they're different, yeah. For sure they're heavier.

Jabeur on the new balls
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We've seen some players come out against these heavier balls, especially after they are used for a few games. Jabeur couldn't quite pinpoint what the difference was, but she does feel it. In the end, she's not a complaint and will accept anything.

I'm not quite sure -- it's flying, like, the ball is still flying. I'm not sure what's the difference in there. But yeah, I mean, I think when you take the ball a little bit late you can feel the difference. Definitely not good to hit indoors with these balls, because I tried when it was raining. It was terrible.

Again, I grew up not complaining, playing with anything. I'll play with anything, even rocks. I don't care (smiling).

Both are going to play later today in the quarter-finals with a goal of making the semi-finals. They faced each other in last year's US Open finals.

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