Novak Djokovic’s Injury Scare Ahead of Australian Open Forces ATP to Take Proactive Steps for Resolving Lingering Tennis Controversy

The ATP has seen various instances where players have complained about unregulated tennis balls. The differences in the balls for each tournament have caused many players wrist injuries. Now, Novak Djokovic has also joined the fray. He suffered a wrist injury during the United Cup, which caused him to drop out of the tournament.

The Djoker stated the balls at the United Cup to be the major problem and subsequently withdrew from the tournament to save his health for the Australian Open. His statements have finally forced the ATP to launch an investigation into the issue.

ATP launches investigation after Novak Djokovic wrist injury

There have been many instances over the last year where ATP players have talked about the problems of the match balls. As it stands, there is no regulation under which tennis balls are created, which means there can be many differences in the balls of each brand. Now, it has finally caught up with the players leading grand slam numbers. Novak Djokovic complained to Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP CEO, over the issue of unregulated balls.

The organization, along with the WTA, has decided to launch an investigation into the matter and come out with balls that are the same every week. Australian Tennis CEO Craig Tiley insisted that much research had gone into ensuring the balls were under some regulated conditions. But regardless of their efforts, ball sizes can vary due to the playing conditions. 

“You can get a different pace and speed playing in the shade then playing at 12 o’clock in the day or playing at eight o’clock at night. So the variability actually in a day happens can happen significantly. What the objective is is to try and make that variability as little as possible. So the ball maintaining its condition on the court in different conditions is the objective. So we went through it again, like we do every year, because you get the feedback.”

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Tiley is firm on his stance that the balls have been tested properly after many complaints were shared by players since 2023.

ATP players who spoke out about the quality of the match balls

Since last year, we have seen many players speak about the differences in the size of the match balls. Most notably, Rafael Nadal spoke out about the issue after his 2023 Brisbane International bout against Jason Kubler. Rafa won the bout but said that the balls felt much larger than usual. Zizou Bergs said that the reoccurring wrist injuries can be prevented by ensuring balls stay the same each week.

Stan Wawrinka agreed with his statement. Daniil Medvedev also stated that there are more wrist and shoulder injuries on tour now, which he blames on the ball. Taylor Fritz also said that he had been facing issues since the US Open, most likely due to the issues of balls changing often. Djokovic also spoke about the issue last year in October when he urged the ATP to use one kind of ball across the year.

Many players have come out and spoken against the issue of the match balls. With the evidence of increasing wrist and shoulder injuries to show for it, will the ATP do right by the players? 

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