Novak Djokovic labels ATP’s silence about ball changes ‘incomprehensible’
Novak Djokovic is the latest player to comment on ball-related injuries. The 24-time Grand Slam champion criticized the ATP for not commenting on the matter.
Djokovic spoke to Sporkle about his recent problems. The issue has prompted players such as Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Taylor Fritz to speak out about their injuries.
Have been dealing w wrist issues since beginning of USO series cause of ball changes✌🏻we went 3 different balls in 3 weeks https://t.co/018jWjFPTC
– Taylor Fritz (@Taylor_Fritz97) 30. September 2023
“There is certainly a connection between frequent wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries and rallies,” Djokovic claimed. “I absolutely agree with him choosing one ball to use in all his ATP tournaments.”
The 36-year-old continued: “The situation is different and more difficult on the Grand Slams, because each of the biggest tournaments we participate in negotiates individually how to sponsor the ball. But that also happens on the ATP Tour. ”. All tournaments have the right to negotiate.
“But all categories on the ATP Tour have to find a way to come together to handle the ball depending on the surface.” In some places, this rally can occur three times in three weeks. There is also. We are at play and it affects the health of the players and the joints themselves. ”
Various players have spoken out about this issue, including former top 10 player Pablo Carreño-Busta, who blamed turnovers in part on the elbow injury that plagued him for about eight months this year. He revealed that he thinks there is. touch line.
“I’m sure the ball has something to do with my injury,” said the Spaniard. “For example, before Roland Garros, I trained with some balls at the academy to recover from an injury and it went well. I played a set and then switched to the Roland Garros ball and trained. And after 20 minutes… it (elbow) got infected again so I stopped. It’s obvious that the ball is very different and the constant changes in the ball are having an effect.
“Last week I played with one brand, this week I played with another brand.” It’s even worse on the Challenger circuit because more balls are exchanged, but also on the ATP circuit will be exchanged. We also never run virtually the same tournament twice. Ball brands can be changed even on the same Australian Tour or Clay Court Tour. This leads to increased injuries. ”
✅ First win since the Australian Open#ATPChallenger | @pablocarreno91 pic.twitter.com/HjbwltyMT6
– ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) 10. October 2023
ATP Tour players aren’t the only ones complaining about this issue; former world No. 2 Paula Badosa also revealed that the problem is prevalent on the WTA Tour as well.
When Portuguese player Gastao Elias demanded that the ATP Tour pay for his physical therapy and called the ball “inhumane,” Badosa said, “I agree!” Unfortunately, this issue doesn’t just affect ATP… WTA has had the same issue for years. Change is needed from both sides. ”
Agree! The issue is not only ATP unfortunately… With the WTA we are having the same problems for years as well. We need a change from both sides.
– Paula Badosa (@paulabadosa) 9 October 2023
And Djokovic criticized sports organizations for not responding to players’ complaints, saying, “I support the players who have complained and I call on the ATP to find a way to resolve the issue.” must be found. I have never seen ATP issue a statement regarding player complaints, but these things don’t make sense to me.
“If you have a tennis player who wants to reach out to you in public from above and say, “Hey, let’s talk about this,” you make a statement and talk to them and say, “Okay, I understand. “Let’s sit down at the table and talk. I don’t understand why their side is silent.”
World No. 1 “I hope they understand that direct communication is necessary.” Similarly, publicly announce that they have received this information and are working on it. is needed. We can find an acceptable solution. Nothing changes if you remain silent. ”
In the baseline…
Djokovic may be concerned about all of these potential injuries since he underwent elbow surgery in 2018. His belief that there should be only one ball used on the ATP Tour seems to be the most practical and sensible solution to representing the Grand Slams as a separate organization. This needs to be pursued on the WTA Tour as well, and both organizations should be more transparent and take immediate action with their players
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