Novak Djokovic has held talks with ATP chiefs on big topic amid player complaints

Novak Djokovic has divulged that he has held talks with ATP chiefs on the issue of the inconsistency and quality of tennis balls used on the ATP Tour.

Following his conversation with president Andrea Gaudenzi and CEO Massimo Calvelli, the 36-year-old suggested that the problem could be addressed soon.

Many ATP players have been critical of the frequent changing of balls from one event to the next, as well as the type of balls being used at certain tournaments, in recent weeks

World No 3 Daniil Medvedev weighed into the discussion during events in China and at last week’s Vienna Open, where he expressed concerns about having shoulder pain “for the rest of my life” as a result of the ball issues.

Earlier in October, Djokovic had criticised the sport’s authorities, including the ATP, for their inaction and silence on the matter in an interview with Sportal.

“I support the players complaining and asking the ATP to find a way to resolve it. They have to find a solution. I didn’t see that the ATP issued any statement regarding the player’s complaints, and these are things that are incomprehensible to me,” said the world No 1.

Speaking in an interview at this week’s Paris Masters, Djokovic revealed he had now spoken with ATP decision makers and expressed hope a resolution would be found.

“I actually just had the conversation with Andrea Gaudenzi, president of ATP, and Massimo [Calvelli], the CEO. Because I haven’t been on the tour for quite some time, so I haven’t had a chance to talk to them,” explained the Serbian.

“Of course I have seen the comments that more and more players were making about the balls that were used on different tournaments. Actually, [Sebastian] Korda, the player that I practised with today, told me that this is fifth tournament now in a row that he’s been playing with different balls.

“Yeah, this inconsistency is an issue, and that’s what most of the players, and also of course including myself, we complain about. You know, I think there needs to be a bit more consistency with the balls so that we avoid any kind of issues with wrists and elbows and shoulders.

“The quality of the balls, you know, this is something that again, it’s very relative to the player. Different players play different styles. They like different balls, depending on the surface, et cetera.

“But I think that there is actually quite an understanding from Andrea and Massimo about the players’ comments and the issues that players have been communicating basically through media, as well. As I understood, there is going to be some board meetings happening soon where they will discuss the different options and things they could do.

“But I think overall, it’s just, it would be nice for players that there is a consistency. So, for example, if you have a clay-court swing prior to Roland Garros, that you play with the same ball. As well as other surfaces and other swings. Hopefully that’s going to be the case.

“There’s obviously a lot of factors that are going to be in play in order to make this change. It’s not easy because you have to think about the tournaments and the brands, you know, manufacturing facilities that are owned by the brands or some use as a third party.

“So there is a lot of different elements in play that need to be discussed commercially but also functionally for us. But for the players obviously, we are not thinking too much about commercial aspect as much as the functional and what is important for us in order to improve or prevent any kind of issues with injuries.”

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