Daniil Medvedev Issues Scathing Attack on HEAD Tennis Balls at Rotterdam Open

Daniil Medvedev isn't able to replicate his winning start to the season at Rotterdam.

Daniil Medvedev Issues Scathing Attack on HEAD Tennis Balls at Rotterdam Open

Daniil Medvedev and Ugo Humbert (via Punto de Break)

Daniil Medvedev’s campaign at the 2026 Rotterdam Open ended almost as soon as it began. The former champion, expected to be one of the headline acts of the week, was knocked out in the opening round by France’s Ugo Humbert in a tense three-set battle.

Humbert’s 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3 victory wasn’t just about grit and shot-making, but it also came with a side story that has quickly become the bigger headline. It was about the Russian’s frustration with the tennis balls, which he claimed were “not round.”

HEAD balls. Are they round? Are you sure? I think maybe we should consider not playing with HEAD balls. HEAD balls are not round. So we should not be playing with it. No one should be buying them. We should not be promoting a tennis ball that is not round.

Daniil Medvedev during his Rotterdam Open match

The Rotterdam Open is one of the ATP Tour’s premier indoor hard-court events, a tournament where top players sharpen their form early in the season. Medvedev, with his tactical baseline game and history of success here, was expected to go deep.

Instead, he crashed out in the first round, which is his earliest exit since the 2025 US Open. For a player of his stature, that’s newsworthy enough. But his sharp criticism of the balls has added a layer of controversy that could ripple across the sport.

Daniil Medvedev Exits Rotterdam Early

The opening set was a tight affair. Ugo Humbert, calm under pressure, edged Daniil Medvedev in a tiebreak, taking the lead and putting the Russian on the back foot.

Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev (Image via X/Daniil Medvedev)

In the second set, Medvedev showed flashes of his trademark resilience. He broke Humbert’s rhythm, controlled rallies, and leveled the match with a 6-3 set win.

The decider was where Humbert truly shone. Saving six break points, he refused to let Medvedev back in. His composure under fire sealed the match, handing him a 4-1 lead in their head-to-head record.

After the loss, Medvedev didn’t hold back. He claimed the balls used in Rotterdam were inconsistent and, in his words, “not round.” It was a blunt assessment that immediately sparked debate. Equipment issues aren’t new in tennis. Players have often complained about differences in ball quality between tournaments, but Medvedev’s comments were unusually direct.

Daniil Medvedev’s Rant Triggers Widespread Reaction

As of now, the ABN AMRO Open organizers have not issued a formal response to Daniil Medvedev’s criticism. Tennis analysts point out that ball quality can significantly affect play indoors, where bounce and speed are magnified. Humbert’s ability to adapt may have given him the edge, while Medvedev’s discomfort clearly played a role in his performance.

Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev (Image via X/TENNISCentel)

Social media lit up with mixed reactions. Some fans sympathized with Medvedev, arguing that equipment standards should be consistent across tournaments. Others felt Humbert simply outplayed him and that the ball complaint sounded like an excuse.

In other news from Rotterdam, Cameron Norrie defeated Roberto Bautista Agut, setting up a second-round clash with either Valentin Royer or Christopher O’Connell. Alexander Zverev withdrew from the tournament earlier, reshaping the draw and opening opportunities for others.

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