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Tennis Stars and Fans Demand Change: Are Poor-Quality Balls Causing Injuries?

“Something needs to change.” This was the strong message from Carlos Alcaraz, former World No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion, as he shed light on the rising concerns about tennis balls used across professional tours. After his first-round victory against Botic Van de Zandschulp at ATP Rotterdam, Alcaraz spoke out about how inconsistent and low-quality balls are leading to player injuries. His concerns were echoed by WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who also took to social media to highlight the shocking durability issues.

Aryna Sabalenka Calls Out Tennis Ball Issue

Ahead of her WTA Qatar Open appearance, Sabalenka shared a post on X (formerly Twitter), featuring a side-by-side comparison of two Dunlop balls—one new and the other used.

“25min vs new Crazy difference 👀” wrote the three-time Grand Slam winner, emphasizing how quickly the balls deteriorate.

Her message was clear: modern tennis balls lack durability.

Alcaraz and Fritz Speak Up on Ball-Related Injuries

Alcaraz had already voiced his concerns during the Australian Open, stating that different balls are used in different venues, making it difficult for players to adapt and avoid injuries.

“Every week, practically every week, we have different balls, different conditions, so it’s complicated to adapt to them. I think last year there were many injuries, many players with elbow or shoulder issues,” Alcaraz explained.

The very next day, Taylor Fritz, ATP World No. 4, became the latest victim of this issue.

“It (injury) was my oblique… It was caused because of the balls. They were supposed to be the same as the ones used in Australia, but they just weren’t,” said Fritz after his Dallas Open first-round win over Arthur Rinderknech.

According to Fritz, the balls were so “dead” that he had to exert extra force on every shot, leading to a potential muscle tear.

Fans React: “This Is Unacceptable!”

The growing frustration among players and coaches has now spread to tennis fans, who are demanding immediate action.

• “Feels like in the past, balls lasted longer.”
• “Not good! Players need more say in setting standards for court surface and ball requirements.”
• “They should not just be picking the ball that pays the most money but what is actually the best ball!”

Craig Boynton, coach of Hubert Hurkacz, explained how poor-quality balls change drastically during a match, increasing the risk of injuries.

“Lower-quality balls feel like rocks initially, then soften too quickly, forcing players to swing harder to compensate.”

Similarly, Wayne Ferreira, former coach of Frances Tiafoe, criticized the constant switching of ball brands each week.

“Some balls are heavier, some are lighter, and adjusting to them all the time is difficult.”

Did ATP and WTA Fail to Address the Issue?

Fans are now calling out tennis governing bodies for failing to take corrective action, despite promising to do so last year.

Back in January 2024, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi assured players that match scheduling and tennis balls were “priority topics”.

“It’s imperative that we evolve and adapt to the demands of the modern game,” Gaudenzi stated, emphasizing the need to protect player health and fan experience.

However, one year later, the issue remains unresolved, with more players speaking out and suffering injuries.

Will Tennis Authorities Finally Take Action?

With top-ranked players like Sabalenka, Alcaraz, and Fritz openly criticizing the current system, the pressure is mounting on ATP and WTA officials to implement stricter ball regulations.

Will they listen before more players get hurt? Only time will tell.

Do you think tennis authorities should take immediate action? Share your thoughts in the comments!