Casper Ruud was dead honest when addressing the constant ball changes on the Tour as the Norwegian thinks some of his colleagues are just being "dramatic."
ADVERTISEMENT
For the past two years, numerous players from across the ATP and WTA Tours - including some of the biggest names of the game - have complained about the balls. And in early 2023, it only took a turn for the worse after certain players started claiming that the growing number of injuries in pro tennis was directly linked to the balls used.
One of the main complaints players have is that different tournaments use different balls so constantly needing to adapt to a new type puts stress on the body and causes injuries. It should be noted that the majority of those players agree that at least one type of ball should be used for a certain swing.
But in Ruud's mind, pretty much all of it is a nonsense and he explains why.
ADVERTISEMENT
You see players complain about the balls all the time. Im getting so tired of like Oh, I feel my elbow I feel this, that. I cant produce power. It suits this player Come on. Just play.' For me whats funny is some players come like five days in advance to practice. And I do it myself a lot of the times, unless youre going from tournament to tournament. They string like 28 rackets to get the right tension. Then they come to the fourth round and start complaining about the balls," the three-time Grand Slam finalist said on the Nothing Major podcast.
"But its been the same balls for the past nine days. Whats the point of bringing it up now to the umpire? Like what is he gonna change? Yeah, let me call Dunlop Ill have them send over a can for you. Whats the point? Just to make drama out of nothing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ruud definitely doesn't agree with Daniil Medvedev
One of the most outspoken complainers about the constant ball changes has been Medvedev. Over the past two years, there have been several instances when the 2021 US Open champion would start ranting about the balls. The latest case of that occurred earlier this month, when the former world No. 1 started alleging just a couple of games into his Shanghai Masters opener that the balls used at the tournament weren't good enough for pro tennis.
"These balls are not good enough for professional tennis. This is one of the biggest tournaments in the world and the balls are destroyed after 5 games. No pressure at all," Medvedev was heard saying on the court.
In 2023 February, the Russian tennis star blamed his "mysterious" wrist injury from the Australian Open on the balls. At this past Shanghai Masters, the 28-year-old also claimed that tennis matches have become longer because of the balls used.
"Oh, I love quick matches, 6-2, 6-2, 50 minutes is the best match possible, honestly. But, again, I'm sorry to tell this again, but I wonder if I'm right, I do think that last two, three years the matches are in general longer on the ATP Tour, because the balls don't go that fast, more longer rallies, more longer games, because you cannot serve aces, and I wonder if I'm right or if I'm telling some nonsense," Medvedev said earlier this month.
ADVERTISEMENT
What Novak Djokovic said about the issue?
After winning the 2023 US Open and taking an extended break to rest, the Serb returned to action at the Paris Masters. Since the constant ball changes was a popular topic at the time, the reporters couldn't wait to ask the record 24-time Grand Slam winner about his opinion. The 37-year-old didn't want to make any clear accusations but he noted that it should be talked about.
"You know, I think someone told me that in terms of injuries this year comparing to other years, you know, drastically has gone up. So yeah, in terms of the balls, I absolutely agree there should be some discussion on that," Djokovic said in 2023 November.
At the time, the current world No. 4 also agreed with the notion that constantly changing balls isn't the right thing.
ADVERTISEMENT
"This inconsistency is an issue, and thats what most of the players, and also of course including myself, we complain about. I think there needs to be a bit more consistency with the balls so that we avoid any kind of issues with wrists and elbows and shoulders," he explained.
Some players defended their complaints by stating that only then some changes could happen. But so far, nor the ATP or WTA have released any statements or made any changes regarding that particular matter.
