Casper Ruud
criticized tennis players who "make drama" over balls following
complaints from Novak Djokovic and Emma Raducanu. The world No. 8 shared his
opinion on the constant ball changes on the Tour, which, according to several
players, contribute to injury problems in both the ATP and WTA.
One of the
players who recently criticized the balls was Raducanu, who had surgeries on
both wrists in 2023 and has struggled with continuity due to recurring
injuries. "I honestly think it’s really bad for us, the way that we have
to switch balls every single week and especially when you’ve gone through
surgeries," she said. "I don’t understand why every other sport is
pretty much the same, whereas in tennis it’s different week to week."
The 24-time
Grand Slam champion Djokovic also believes the issue needs more research and
discussion on the Tour. "There has been a lot of discussions on the effect
of the different balls every week on the joints, the wrist, the shoulders, and
the elbows," the world No. 4 said. "Someone told me that in terms of
injuries this year compared to other years, it drastically has gone up. I
absolutely agree there should be some discussion on that."
Players
such as Iga Swiatek, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, Elena Rybakina, and Stan
Wawrinka have all voiced concerns as well. However, Ruud took a different
stance during his recent appearance on the Nothing Major podcast.
"You see players complain about the balls all the time. I’m getting so
tired of it. Come on. Just play.”
Read also
"What’s
funny to me is some players come like five days in advance to practice. They
string like 28 rackets to get the right tension. Then they come to the fourth
round and start complaining about the balls,” Ruud stated. “But it’s been the
same balls for the past nine days. What’s the point of bringing it up now to
the umpire? Like, what is he gonna change? What’s the point? Just to make drama
out of nothing,” he concluded.
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.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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