The Ongoing Tennis Controversy: The Trouble with ATP Circuit Balls

Rafa Nadal celebrates a point in his match against Australian Jason Kubler, whom he defeated 6-1, 6-2, on his way to the quarterfinals of the Brisbane tournament. EFE/EPA/ZAIN MOHAMMED AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

For some time now, on the ATP circuit there has been a topic that has sparked controversy and criticism from numerous athletes: balls. And it is no wonder, given that shoulder, wrist and elbow injuries have skyrocketed exponentially. This has led many tennis players to raise their voices and seek solutions in this regard, but the months go by, injuries continue to occur and neither the ATP nor anyone else does anything. The last to join the criticism has been Rafa Nadal after his second match (and second victory) after his return to the courts.

The man from Manacor has recorded his second victory in Brisbane by beating the Australian Jason Kubler 6-1 and 6-2. Thus, with the euphoria of victory, of feeling that he is back to the same level as before the injury or, at least, that is what is perceived; He did not hesitate to address one of the most questioned problems within the ATP circuit, the balls. “It was difficult to move the ball in the right way towards the end of the first set: it was very heavy. “I don’t know what happens to these balls, but they die,” said the Spaniard.

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But what happens with the balls in tennis? The continuous change of ball brands and with it, their characteristics, given that each one has a different weight, pressure and hardness. Which means that one week they are playing with one type of ball and the next with another, given that each tournament, for advertising reasons, chooses the brand of balls with which its competition is played. Something that could be understood if the reason for these changes were the type of court, but this is not the case, given that different balls have been used on the same surface. A situation that makes tournament preparation even more complicated, given that the bounce and hitting varies greatly from one type of ball to another.

Novak Djokovic is one of those who are suffering the consequences of these changes, given that at the beginning of the year he has shown problems with his wrist, which led him to lose to Alex Miñaur. A few months ago, the Serbian stressed the need to take measures regarding the balls: “The lack of continuity is a problem and it is our complaint. There has to be more uniformity in the choice of balls to avoid problems with wrists, elbows and shoulders.”

You may be interested in: Rafa Nadal: “I feel competitive, that’s all I want”

Added to this are many others, such as Carlos Alcaraz, who assured that the only rule he would change in tennis were the balls: “I would like to play with the same ball always. It’s the only thing I would change, playing all the tournaments all year with the same ball. Now you have to adapt your game. In each tournament, the ball is different.” To which he added: “For tennis players it is a problem if the ball is different in each tournament. You are playing one week with one ball and the next you change completely with a different one.”

The increase in injuries within the ATP circuit is evident. The calendar is increasingly tight and the little rest between one tournament and another leads to tennis players being overloaded and, therefore, to an increase in injuries. However, there are others that could be avoided and that are increasingly adding more patients to the infirmary. They are those related to ball changes, which especially affect the shoulder, elbow and wrist, that is, avoidable injuries. “I’m sure the balls have something to do with my injury,” said Pablo Carreño in an interview after his return to the court after an injury to his right elbow.

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There were discussions a few years back that the ATP/WTA wanted to “slow the game down” to have longer points for fans. The balls have been getting incrementally heavier and surprise surprise, it’s killing our bodies. Almost every player I’ve spoken to.. [1/2]

— Vasek Pospisil (@VasekPospisil) September 2, 2023

Vasek Pospisil, co-founder of the PTPA (union with which Novak Djokovic wants to revolutionize tennis), sowed chaos a few months ago with the message spread through a Twitter account: “A few years ago there were discussions because the ATP and the WTA wanted” slow down the game” to have longer points for the fans. The balls have gotten heavier and heavier and, surprise, it’s killing our bodies.” To which he adds: “Almost all the players I have spoken to have the same feeling. I have never seen so many wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries in the locker room. If these ball changes do not begin to be reversed, the situation will only get worse. Please, ATP and WTA; start listening. Player injuries are also detrimental to you.”

The truth is that despite the complaints of the tennis players, so far no changes have been made nor any type of measure taken. The ATP does not seem to be willing to try to make a move on this matter. As for the organizers of the competitions, more of the same. And meanwhile, tennis players continue to suffer the consequences.

2024-01-05 04:00:00
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