"Huge impact": The ATP may change one of the oldest rules in tennis
The issue of tennis balls has recently faced a barrage of sharp criticism from top male and female players. Some consider them too slow, others too heavy, while Daniil Medvedev, the former world number one, even questioned their size. In the shadow of this wave of reservations, the ATP is conducting a pilot and may change one of the oldest rules in the sport.
The issue of tennis balls has recently faced a barrage of sharp criticism from top male and female players. Some consider them too slow, others too heavy, while Daniil Medvedev, the former world number one, even questioned their size. In the shadow of this wave of reservations, the ATP is conducting a pilot and may change one of the oldest rules in the sport.
The controversy revolves around the frequency with which balls are replaced in each match. The current rule states that players start each match with new balls. These are replaced for the first time after seven games (since the warm-up also wears them out) and then every nine games. This method forces tennis players to adjust their tactics and the string tension in their rackets during each set.
According to 'The Athletic', the ATP will conduct a pilot experiment at a Challenger tour tournament (one level below the main professional tour) next month to replace the balls more frequently. According to the initial format, the balls will be replaced for the first time after five games, and then every seven games.
It is worth noting that the newer the balls are, the faster they fly and the higher they bounce, while as they wear out from prolonged hitting, they lose their internal pressure and their felt wears down — which causes them to become slower as they are slowed down more easily in the air.
Although this is only an initial attempt, this change will have a significant impact on tennis if implemented at all levels in the near future. With more frequent ball changes in each match, the game will become faster and more dynamic, and higher bounces will also be noticeable. However, this will also increase tournament costs, as more balls will be required, and will create more waste.
Medvedev is not the only one who has expressed his dissatisfaction with the balls currently in use on the tour; other prominent figures in the sport, such as Roland Garros champion Sascha Zverev and world number ten Taylor Fritz, have also expressed their protest. Therefore, it is likely that a change in this regulation will be welcomed by most players. It is likely that many of them will still find something to complain about.
