Two More Tennis Stars Back Medvedev’s Ball Critique
Arthur Fils and Alex de Minaur have joined Daniil Medvedev in criticizing the tennis balls used at the Rotterdam Open, with one calling them “really terrible.” Fils, a rising talent recovering from a long-term back injury, expressed his discontent after losing to de Minaur, ranked No. 8 in the world.
Concerns Raised Over Ball Quality
“They are terrible. Really terrible. The ball is very bad. It is unbelievable,” Fils told Bolavip. He added that it is abnormal for the balls to become larger and slower after just two games while competing at a professional level.
De Minaur Shares Frustration
De Minaur echoed Fils’ sentiments, mentioning his frustrations during practice. “I do get what Daniil says about the balls. They are definitely not my favourite,” he stated, emphasizing their difficulty in control.
Medvedev’s Outburst Sparks Reactions
Medvedev’s criticism became more pronounced during his match against Ugo Humbert. After questioning the roundness of the balls and receiving confirmation, he remarked, “It’s a bit strange… we should not be promoting a tennis ball that is not round.” He continued to express his disdain by discarding the balls in frustration.
Ball Speed and Court Performance
Tennis professionals often analyze the relationship between ball speed and court speed. The Head Tour XT balls, used at both Rotterdam and a previous tournament in Montpellier, yielded different performance metrics due to varied court speeds. No complaints were noted during the Occitanie Open, where conditions were faster.
ATP’s Commitment to Standardization
The ATP is aiming to standardize the balls across the tour, addressing past inconsistencies caused by different tournament sponsorships. In a statement last June, they announced significant progress in achieving ball consistency, with complete centralization expected by the 2027 season.
Challenges of Adapting
De Minaur noted that the balls seem to favor powerful players, stating it’s a “very dead ball” that benefits those with strong hitting capabilities. Players like Medvedev and Alexander Zverev have also criticized ball performance, linking it to increased injuries and extended rallies. As the tournament continues, players like de Minaur must adapt to using the Head balls effectively.
