Novak Djokovic has asked tennis governing bodies to decide which ball to use at tournaments after players complained of injuries due to constant changes. Several stars blamed the heavier balls for hand, elbow and shoulder problems, prompting Djokovic to intervene.
Djokovic called out the ATP and WTA, asking them to listen to players who raise an issue about balls. Different tournaments have their own ball sponsors, which means balls may be made by different companies.
The world number 1 wants a unified approach to the use of balls. He said: “There is certainly a link between frequent injuries to the wrist, elbow and shoulder when changing the ball. I am absolutely in favor of choosing a ball with which we will play all ATP tournaments.
“It’s different and more difficult with the Grand Slams because each of the biggest tournaments we play negotiates separately which sponsor they will have for the balls, but this also happens on the ATP Tour. Each tournament has the right to negotiate.
“However, we just have to find a way to unify, so that in each category of the ATP Tour we have a ball to play with, depending on the surface. Sometimes this ball change happens three times in three weeks depending on the surface. where we play, and this affects the health of the players and the joints themselves.
“In this sense, I support the players who are complaining and asking the ATP to find a way to resolve the problem. They need to find a solution… I didn’t see that the ATP had published any statement regarding the player’s complaints, and these are things that are incomprehensible to me.
“When you have top tennis players trying to reach you in public and saying, ‘Hey, let’s talk about this topic,’ you have to make a statement and go to them and say, ‘Okay, we let’s sit down at the table, let’s talk. I don’t understand why there is silence on their part.
“I hope they realize that there just has to be direct communication. Likewise, it is appropriate to publicly announce that they have received this information and that they are working on it, in the sense that they will see how to find an acceptable solution. Silence won’t change anything. »
Canadian star Vasek Pospisil recently said ball changes were “killing” players’ bodies. He raged: “The bullets have become heavier and heavier and, surprise, it is killing our bodies. Almost every player I’ve spoken to feels the same way.
It comes after Marketa Vondrousova claimed she was forced to withdraw from the US Open doubles after suffering an injury caused by heavier balls. The Czech ace said in September: “Yes, (the injury) is just from the balls. They’re very heavy and it’s a long season, so I feel like, you know, you just have to fight through it.
