Carlos Alcaraz names one thing he would change in tennis
Carlos Alcaraz is generally happy with the state of tennis, but he does feel that there is one aspect that the sport could change and it has to do with the balls.
The sport uses different tennis balls at different tournaments and the nature of the balls often becomes a hot topic during the Grand Slams with this year’s French Open a case in point.
Roland Garros as well as the US Open use Wilson balls, the Australian Open has Dunlop balls while Wimbledon make use of Slazenger balls.
Following his three-set victory over Denis Shapovalov in the third round in Paris on Friday, Alcaraz was asked if there was one thing about the sport that he would change and replied: “This is a difficult question. I’m going to say the balls, you know, to play with the same ball. For me, that’s the only thing I would change, playing all the tournaments all year with the same ball.
“Now you have to adapt your game. In each tournament, the ball is different. We have some problems if it is a different ball in each tournament. You’re playing one week with one ball and the next you’re completely changed with a different one.”
Earlier this week world No 2 Daniil Medvedev accused organisers of favouring players like Alcaraz by making the Wilson balls heavier.
“This heavy balls to adjust with the wind was not easy. In my opinion, players who have like, I don’t know how even to say it, but like a wrist game, like my opponent today, like Carlos, I think Stefanos [Tsitsipas] a little bit, have big advantage with these balls, because they can create easy power, which I don’t have,” the Russian said following his first-round defeat to qualifier Thiago Seyboth Wild.
“That was a little bit the case today. He was controlling almost all the points, and I was suffering a lot, especially on the side against the wind.”
Alcaraz was asked if this year’s Wilson balls are “bothering him”, but he feels he has adapted well.
“I feel very well with this balls. I’m hitting very clean and adapted very well. Some players may disagree, but I’m feeling great with these balls in this court…”
Alcaraz will return to action on Sunday as he will take on Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round with the winner facing either fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or qualifier Sebastian Ofner in the quarter-final.
READ MORE: Inside story on the Wilson tennis ball set to be used at the French Open
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Expert reveals how long Andy Murray could be sidelined if he requires surgery after ‘devastating’ injury
“The decision will be made to potentially treat it with non-surgery but that’s unlikely I think.”
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz has bad news for his rivals with latest remarks as he also gives insight into aggressive tactics
Carlos Alcaraz is “feeling great on the court” again, which should be a concern for his rivals.
-
WTA Tour
Victoria Azarenka reveals how Novak Djokovic is inspiring her to reach for more
How world No 1 Novak Djokovic is inspiring Victoria Azarenka to reach for more.
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner can’t control his laughter as he hits his physio in a ‘really important’ spot
Physio Giacomo Naldi was in Jannik Sinner’s line of fire at the Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Andy Murray faces agonising waiting game after ankle injury nightmare
Andy Murray waiting to hear whether he still has a chance to end his career at Wimbledon this summer.
-
ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev admits it ‘didn’t smell good’ as he mounts amazing Miami comeback
Daniil Medvedev bounced back from a desperate position in the first set tie-break to beat Dominik Koepfer.
-
Tennis News
Final moments of the Novak Djokovic era of dominance were hard to identify
Novak Djokovic’s reign as the king of men’s tennis appeared to be set to run and run – but the mood has changed.
-
Tennis News
Juan Martin del Potro makes Novak Djokovic claim as he weighs in on GOAT debate
“I believe that if he wins a couple more Grand Slams, there will no longer be a discussion.”
-
Tennis News
Emma Raducanu set for another rankings fall – but the only way is up now
Emma Raducanu is projected to tumble down the WTA rankings when the new list is released next week.
-
Tennis News
Gael Monfils makes brutal Carlos Alcaraz admission as he describes facing the Spaniard
“I feel like I’m getting eaten up, but at the same time, I feel like I’m playing well.”