Medvedev latest to take aim at types of balls used on ATP Tour: "It's kind of like playing on clay"

Russia’s tennis star Daniil Medvedev has expressed his frustration with the ‘slow balls’ despite his recent success in the China Cup.

The 27-year-old has already booked his place in the semifinal of the competition after France’s Ugo Humbert in the quarterfinal with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.

Medvedev, after the win stated, that with the ball speed, it almost felt like he was playing on a clay court.

“With these balls, it’s kind of like playing on clay,’ he said. “The only big difference is the bounce, which is not like on clay, so it’s still different, but it’s very slow.’

“I lost two times my serve in the first set. I won it. I lost my serve in the third, I won it 6-1. Any other normal hard court with normal balls, no chance I win a match like this. Also, no chance I lose so much of my serve. To make an ace is tough.”

Medvedev is now set to face off against Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the last-four clash on Tuesday. He is now just two wins away from winning his 21st ATP title.

Interestingly, the current world number three has never won the same competition twice, something that might continue if he manages to win the competition in Beijing.

Talking about it, Medvedev, who is recently coming on the back of playing the final of the US Open, admitted that he would like the story to continue.

“It’s a fun story,” he said. “This week I’m here in Beijing, so I hope to make it 21 in 21 different cities. It’s going to be pretty special because I’m not sure anyone has done something like this before.

“At the same time I hope to, in Shanghai, maybe break this story, try to win a second title in the same city, same tournament.”