Daniil Medvedev Contradicts Rafael Nadal’s Perspective on the Change of Balls in French Open 2020

A lot of things have changed in the French Open 2020. The majority of the changes have been caused by the global coronavirus pandemic, but one change by the French Open organizers has polarised the players.

The French Open will use Wilson balls this year. For years now they have been using balls from Babolat, but this year they have made this change. Some players like Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal have been upset with the choice of Wilson balls for the Grand Slam. But Daniil Medvedev was happy with them as it suits his style of play.

The Wilson ball for the French Open 2020 is slower and this suits Daniil Medvedev

“I like the balls because, yeah, tennis is a funny and interesting sport. It’s normal that when one player doesn’t like something, second one maybe is going to like it. So far I like it. I think it suits me not bad,” said the world number five.

The Wilson ball will be slower and offer less spin in the current conditions in Paris. Medvedev is happy with these balls as he likes low-speed clay court conditions.

Rafael Nadal on the other hand doesn’t like the current conditions in Paris. Generally, the French Open happens in the month of May, which brings in a warmer climate and a little less humidity. But now, in the autumn season, the situation in Paris will be a bit cooler and highly humid, resulting in slower courts. Nadal has struggled in these conditions. The Spaniard likes fast clay-court matches with shots heavy on topspin. In the current conditions, the Wilson ball will be much slower and the bounce will also not be to Nadal’s liking.

These changes do make Nadal’s title defense a bit more challenging. Medvedev has had a rather dull restart by his standards. Since he has said that the conditions favor him, it remains to be seen if the Russian can mount a challenge for the French Open against the three favorite – Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Dominic Thiem.

Read More: Daniil Medvedev Slapped With a Hefty Fine in Consecutive Years at US Open