Aryna Sabalenka shares shocking tennis ball comparison after Carlos Alcaraz raises concerns

Friday, 07 February 2025 at 19:30

Aryna Sabalenka has joined Carlos Alcaraz in commenting on the wear and tear of tennis balls. The World No. 1 has had a fantastic start to the season, winning 11 consecutive matches before falling to Madison Keys in the Australian Open final.

Although the Belarusian was disappointed not to claim her third consecutive title in Melbourne, she remains comfortably at the top of the rankings. As she prepares for the first WTA 1000 event of the season at the Doha Open, she once again emerges as the tournament favourite.

As Sabalenka gets ready to return to the court, she has encountered an issue that her ATP Tour colleagues have also raised. The World No. 1 shared a photo on social media showing the stark contrast between new tennis balls and those used for less than half an hour.

"25 minutes v new," she wrote on X. "Crazy difference."

25min vs new
Crazy difference 👀 pic.twitter.com/U7tK80qGm0
— Sabalenka Aryna (@SabalenkaA) February 7, 2025

The image is yet another testament to the sheer power of Sabalenka’s ball striking but also highlights how quickly modern tennis balls lose their freshness after just a few minutes of play.

Recently, four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz spoke about the constant ball changes from tournament to tournament and the injury risks they pose for players. "Every week, practically every week, we have different balls, different conditions, so it’s complicated to adapt to them," he said. "I think last year there were many injuries, many players with elbow or shoulder issues. Something needs to change."

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Just recently, World No. 4 Taylor Fritz suffered an injury at the Dallas Open, which he directly linked to the tournament's balls.

"They were like the deadest balls ever, so I’m just throwing my whole body into every single shot I hit, and I think I maybe slightly tore something," Fritz said.

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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