Attention to detail is an important trait for organizers. The ball controversy in 2023’s China Open is attracting a lot of heat. Upon qualifying for the semi-finals, the world’s no. 3 Daniil Medvedev addressed the ball dispute that has been plaguingplayers all over . Medvedev won the quarter-final match defeating his French opponent, Ugo Humbert. Following that, the Russian star candidly aired his thoughts.
Earlier, players like Taylor Fritz and Stan Wawrinka addressed this issue as well. Carlos Alcaraz holds a differing view but still recognizes that balls undergo size changes too frequently. Following his match, Daniil made a strong statement about the balls, emphasizing the significance of the issue.
How did the balls surprise Daniil Medvedev?
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Scores from the last match reflect his excellent performance. Daniil subdued Humbert with explosive sets of 6-4, 3-6, and 6-1. Concerns regarding the balls changing the course of this match ultimately turned in his favor.
Daniil Medvedev says the balls used in Beijing are ‘a joke’ after beating Ugo Humbert.
“All the match was pretty up & down.. These balls on hardcourts are a joke. 3rd set I lose my serve & I win 6-1. It’s not normal. But we’ve played like this all year. So okay” 😂 pic.twitter.com/zArCuKPAea
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 2, 2023
Medvedev expresses his dissatisfaction with those tennis balls on hardcourts. He believes the balls contributed to the unpredictable nature of the match. His remark about winning 6-1 despite losing his serve in the last set suggests frustration with the inconsistency in the game.
Since the issue is consistent in most matches, other players have made jarring comments as well. Daniil’s comment about this recurring pattern throughout the year indicates a larger concern. It highlights the state of the game and its conditions.
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The year of struggle for players
Since 2023’s beginning, multiple players have made complaints about injuries. These complaints were made about the balls being changed too often. However, no solution was brought forth by ATP. The China Open is facing similar issues around balls.
Following his victory at the Qatar Open, Daniil expressed similar concerns about the ball, mentioning its weight as an issue. His lack of familiarity with playing against such balls is a legitimate concern. Yet, Daniil knows how to turn these issues into victory.
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Numerous players have raised this concern, making it impossible to overlook any longer. If not proceeded with caution these complaints might result in grave injuries. The rotation of balls is not just potentially dangerous but also hinders the performance of these players. It’s about time that the ATP takes responsibility and makes things right.
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