Many top tennis players like Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, and Taylor Fritz have shown their discontent with tennis balls in recent years, advocating for more consistency. World No. 8. Casper Ruud appeared in an edition of the Nothing Major Podcast, which is hosted by four former American tennis players: John Isner, Jack Sock, Sam Querrey, and Steve Johnson. Ruud said in that podcast that he’s tired of seeing players complain about the balls, all the time. The Norwegian had a lot to say on this matter and it looked like he was taking a dig at Daniil Medvedev, specifically.
Ruud Fires Shots at Medvedev
Casper Ruud’s precise words were –
“You see players complain about the balls all the time. I’m getting so tired of like ‘Oh, I feel my elbow. I feel this, that. I can’t produce power. It suits this player.’ Come on. Just play.”
At the Shanghai Masters held recently, Medvedev was unhappy with the balls during his second-round match. He called the supervisor and complained that these balls “were not good enough for professional tennis.” After the match, Medvedev argued that the balls favor Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. He said: “I think it basically favors people who can benefit power from dead balls. Some have better quality with this, some don’t. The two best players at doing this are already the best players in the world. It’s Jannik and Carlos.” It gives them an extra edge.
Taylor Fritz said that he preferred the Dunlop balls used in Tokyo to the ones used in Shanghai (Wilson). Ruud’s words, however, appeared to be directed at Medvedev, who has also previously complained of elbow troubles (he was not the only one, though). However, keep in mind that Ruud said all of this in a humorous tone. The guys were having a lighthearted joking conversation about this in the podcast. He didn’t seem angry or serious. It also comes down to a conflict of interest between these two top players.
Conflict of Interest and Mind Games?
Daniil Medvedev probably wants faster balls everywhere, whereas Ruud doesn’t. So Ruud would benefit if Medvedev did not get his way. Ruud may be irritated because he enjoys slow balls and dislikes the influence that Medvedev’s complaints have. The Russian player kept complaining about the slow courts in Indian Wells and they not only sped up the court next year but also changed from extra duty to regular duty balls.
The HEAD’s (sports equipment company) production guy has gone on record and admitted that they changed the ball manufacturing process in response to player complaints about the balls fluffing up. Medvedev is influential among the players. Perhaps not him alone, but he is a factor.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
