“Something needs to change.” Earlier this week, former World No.1 and four-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz threw light on the condition of tennis balls used across tours. After clinching a first round victory against Botic Van de Zandschulp at the ATP Rotterdam, the Spaniard weighed in on the recurring problem, causing injuries to players due to poor ball quality. WTA star and World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka also agreed with his viewpoint. Fans aren’t far behind!

Ahead of her next WTA appearance at Doha, Sabalenka took to her X account and shared an image. It featured two Dunlop balls with one being a new one and the other a used one. “25min vs new Crazy difference 👀” wrote the three-time major winner. While she didn’t mention anything else, the message was crystal clear: modern-day balls have shorter durability.

Just last month, during the Australian Open, the Spaniard had talked about it. After his second round victory against Yoshihito Nishioka, Alcaraz mentioned his thoughts on the conditions this season in Melbourne. But he also discussed changes in the balls introduced for the event, while drawing comparisons. “I can’t compare with last year, last year’s balls, last year, so for me was like two months already, I don’t remember a lot.” reported The Tennis Gazette on January 15. Continuing further, he added, “I practice with different balls in the pre-season, they send me different balls.”

Then, in Rotterdam, a few days back, he reiterated his thoughts about getting different balls in different venues. According to him, there should be a consistency in them. So that they don’t end up hurting players. “Every week, practically every week, we have different balls, different conditions, so it’s complicated to adapt to them,” reported Tennis365 on February 5. “I think last year there were many injuries, many players with elbow or shoulder issues,” added the 21-year-old. But there was a fresh case witnessed just a day after Alcaraz’s concern.

Earlier this week, World No.4 Taylor Fritz revealed how he was injured by tennis balls. Following his first round win over Arthur Rinderknech at the Dallas Open, he said, “It (injury) was my oblique, it was caused because of the balls that were supposed to be the same balls as the ones we were using here and the ones we used in Australia but they just weren’t,” in his post-match interview with the Tennis Channel. “They were like the deadest balls ever, so I’m just throwing my whole body into every single shot I hit and I think I maybe slightly tore something.”

Meanwhile, tennis lovers are quite furious over this growing issue across WTA and ATP tours.

Tennis fans call for action after Aryna Sabalenka highlights critical ball issue

One fan wondered about the overall durability of balls these days. “Yes, Feels like in past balls lasted longer.” On the other hand, one user called for more say of players in these matters. Simply because they believe the organizers are not doing anything to provide good quality balls. “Not good! Players need more say in setting standards for court surface and ball requirements.”

A tennis ball—yellow felt and a rubber core—seems simple enough. However, on the pro tour, where manufacturers adhere to varying specifications, the reality is more complex. “The quality of even the best balls has come down in the last few years,” said Craig Boynton, who coached Hubert Hurkacz. “They should not just be picking the ball that will pay the most money to be associated with a tournament, but what is the actual best ball?”

According to Boynton, lower-quality balls can feel like rocks initially, then soften considerably after a few games. This inconsistency can lead players to swing harder to compensate, increasing their risk of injury. Sharing a similar sentiment, another fan criticized the event organizers and wrote, “They really need to do better with tennis balls. Okay, its a business and you need balls to be used and sell them after…..but 20 minutes and it looks plain dead? Come on now”

Boynton’s concerns are only part of the issue. According to Wayne Ferreira, Frances Tiafoe’s former coach, even high-quality balls are problematic due to the sheer variety in use. Players frequently encounter different brands each week. “Some are heavier and some are lighter, and making that adjustment all the time is difficult,” he said.

Meanwhile, one fan showed gratitude to Sabalenka for throwing light on this matter. Calling for a major action in men’s events, they wrote, “Thanks for speaking out. The issue of tennis balls on the ATP tour has become a major concern and needs to be addressed.” Lastly, there was one fan who seemed disappointed with WTA officials for offering poor balls. “Unacceptable!! WTA should be ashamed to have players play with such a bad product!

Well, last year the officials at ATP and WTA promised to address this problem after taking “direct feedback” from players. Back in January 2024, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said, “Match scheduling and tennis balls are both priority topics on our agenda, together with the WTA. It’s imperative that we evolve and adapt to the demands of the modern game,” reported WTA’s website. Gaudenzi’s focus was on “player health and fan experience” but it appears both are still left unaddressed. Will something change for good going forward this season? Only time will tell.