WTA: number 1 criticizes the balls of the United States Open

The world’s best tennis player, Poland’s Iga Swiatek, lamented on Wednesday the use of different balls for men and women at the US Open.

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In action at the Cincinnati tournament this week, where she was defeated in the second round by American Madison Keys, Swiatek slammed the Grand Slam tournament women’s balls, which she says are “awful”.

“I don’t know why they are different from those of men. 15 years ago probably the women had elbow injuries because the balls were heavier and they changed to women’s balls but now we are well prepared physically and I don’t believe that can happen again,” commented the 21-year-old player, according to the ESPN network.

These problematic balls, since very hard to control according to Swiatek, are the same ones used in Cincinnati and at the National Bank Open.

The Pole, the world’s fourth-ranked Paula Badosa and former No. 1 Ashleigh Barty – now retired – have already joined the WTA to replace women’s balls. The women’s circuit defended itself in a statement sent to ESPN by explaining that these balls were always used on hard surfaces to limit injuries.

Last year, Britain’s Emma Raducanu won the US Open ahead of Quebec’s Leylah Annie Fernandez. Both were in a first final of a Grand Slam tournament.