Carlos Alcaraz becomes the latest player to comment on the changing weight of tennis balls as concerns for injuries raised

Several players have complained about the heavy balls leading to higher occurrence of injuries.

Carlos Alcaraz becomes the latest player to comment on the changing weight of tennis balls as concerns for injuries raised

Carlos Alcaraz addressing the press at the China Open. (Credit : ATP Tour)

The impact that the tennis ball can have on a game of tennis is often understated. The brand of the ball, their bounce, and the wear and tear on them after a few shots are played, all can have a huge impact on how the game goes. At the recently concluded US Open, the reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova complained about the weight of the balls at the tournament after withdrawing from her doubles match.

Vondrousova blamed the heavier extra-duty balls for the elbow injury that ruled her out of US Open doubles. Playing at the China Open, World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz talked about his attempts to get used to the balls used at the tournament. “I felt it since the first practice that I did here in Beijing. It is something tough, but the tennis player has to get used to that.. They change balls in every tournament or almost in every tournament is a different ball,” he told the press in Beijing.

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The 2-time Grand Slam champion was not looking to use it as an excuse as he claimed that it’s the same for every player.“You have to get used to that. It’s a kind of different feeling when you are coming into a tournament, it’s like ‘What is going to be the ball?’ It’s a question that I think every player is asking themself about the ball. Here in just 1 or 2 games, the ball becomes different from the new ones. It’s kind of different play, & you have to get used to that,” he added.

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Earlier, PTPA co-founder Vasek Pospisil complained about the use of heavy balls on the tour, leading to an increasing occurrence of wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries among players. Pospisil accused the tour of using heavier, and as a result, slower balls, to promote longer rallies and bridge the quality gap between the players.

Every tournament on the ATP Tour chooses which balls to use, generally as part of a sponsorship deal. Balls are branded as “regular duty” or “extra duty” which describes the thickness of the felt weave.

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Carlos Alcaraz gets past Lorenzo Musetti to reach the quarter-final at China Open

1st seed Carlos Alcaraz got his Asian hard-court swing to a perfect start as he breezed past the Italian pro Lorenzo Musetti in the round of 16 of the China Open, in Beijing. The Spaniard defeated the world no.18 6-2,6-2 to earn his 60th win of the season and book a spot in the quarter-final. 7th seed Casper Ruud awaits him in the quarter-final. Alcaraz defeated the Norwegian in the final of the US Open 2022 to seal his first Grand Slam title.

US open ceremony
Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud.

“Today was a perfect match for me,” Alcaraz said. “You can improve and be better every day but I was proud of my tennis playing this level. I played high-quality, great shots and a great return game. It was a great match and I enjoyed playing today. I enjoy China,” he added.

Alcaraz has sealed his spot in the year-end ATP Finals to be played in Turin, Italy from 12th November. The Spaniard will look forward to regaining the no.1 spot from his arch-rival Novak Djokovic.

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