"All surrender injured and are losing early": Jimmy Connors sees potential issues with ATP balls if Djokovic, Alcaraz and Medvedev have issues

Tuesday, 21 November 2023 at 16:06

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Jimmy Connors commented on the controversy surrounding criticisms of the ATP balls and expressed the opinion that it will be "interesting" if players like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Daniil Medvedev get injured during the year.

The former world No. 1 recently shared his thoughts on his podcast, Advantage Connors, discussing the events at the ATP Finals, where Djokovic secured his 7th title, surpassing the record of Roger Federer, who ended with 6 trophies.

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Connors addressed one of the controversies that arose at the end of the year due to players, including Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, and Ben Shelton, who complained that the balls in tournaments are different and have become increasingly heavier, raising the risk of injury.

"I think somewhere down the line, they are gonna have to look into it because the guys that are selling the tickets and bringing the fans in are the ones that are complaining. So, you gotta have to sit down and talk to them and figure out what the right thing to do is so that they can continue to be out there playing. Because, the game goes on how the guys are playing," Connors stated on his podcast.

"If Djokovic, Alcaraz, Sinner, if the top 5-6 guys all surrender injured and are losing early because of the balls, it's gonna be interesting to see where that goes," former world No. 1 added.

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According to him, the chances of players suffering injuries increase, and the world's top players, who typically have hectic schedules, are the ones most at risk.

"With the equipment that they have today, the rackets and the string and so with the balls being heavy, the rackets are so light. So, with the ball like that, there's gonna be wrist injuries, elbow injuries and shoulder injuries," Jimmy Connors concluded.

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

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