Siding Vociferously With Novak Djokovic, 61YO Tennis Legend Delves Deep Into a Key Issue Plaguing Modern Tennis

Novak Djokovic has rarely held himself back when it comes to addressing various controversial matters and issues in the tennis circuit. Both the ATP and WTA stars’ complaints about heavier balls during tournaments have also caught the attention of the Serbian tennis legend. A rise in elbow, shoulder, and hand injuries is now being attributed by a number of players to heavy tennis balls.

It has now prompted the 24-time singles Grand Slam champion to intervene as he called out both the tennis’s governing bodies. While urging the tennis authorities to address players’ issues regarding the balls, the 36-year-old demanded a unified approach over the same. After making his stance crystal clear, the Serb has now received major backing from the American tennis legend, Pam Shriver who brought to light a key issue plaguing modern tennis.

Pam Shriver sides with Novak Djokovic amidst the tennis ball concerns

In the Tennis Channel Inside-In podcast show, the WTA legend spoke candidly about the heavy tennis ball issues being faced by a number of tennis stars. Pam Shriver asserted that there is a need for an expert panel phase given the rise of injuries in modern tennis. Meanwhile, the Hall of Famers also addressed how the frequent change of tennis balls in a season might be one of the “contributing factors.”

She said, “Well, I think we need to have a really expert panel, kind of like we had the age eligibility panel because that got to the heart of why there were so many sort of early burnouts. But if we’re having arm injuries, and one of the contributing factors is the change of tennis balls so many times during the course of the year.”

Shriver also compared tennis to golf while talking about how golfers get to play with their own balls. The American added, “You think about how golfers can play with their own golf balls and in tennis you’re beholden to the tournament and the deal they’ve done with what manufacturer.”

During the honest conversation, the former tennis player also mentioned a WTA 1000-level event that is at an altitude that requires a different kind of ball.

Shriver on how hard court surface responds to some tennis balls

In the podcast show, the 61-year-old also talked about the outdoor hardcourt event, the Guadalajara Open, where the surface has an impact on the pace of play. She said, “Maybe if you play Guadalajara, it at altitude and so that’s a totally different kind of ball. And all at a time when the game is so powerful. They felt like they had to slow the courts down put more grit on the hard courts, and how that responds to some tennis balls.”

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Shriver added, “On some it fluffs up, on some it takes the fluff off. So I do think we need to look at it because the pace of play is enough to ruin arms, shoulders, elbows, and so if we can do anything to help the athlete arm, I’m all for it.”

What do you think of the American tennis legend joining Djokovic in addressing the heavy balls issues on the tour? Let us know in the comments section.

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