Novak Djokovic reveals he has held talks with ATP chief over a huge pressing issue in tennis
Novak Djokovic has the biggest voice in tennis right now and he has revealed he has spoken to ATP chief Andrea Gaudenzi over one of the biggest issues in the game.
Numerous players have spoken out about the persistent ball changes that occur in each event, with Canadian star Vasek Pospisil the latest to express his annoyance over the issue.
Every tennis tournament has a chance to do a deal with a ball company and each ball can be slightly different in their make-up, forcing players to adjust on a weekly basis.
That has led to fears over injuries as players adjust to the different balls, with this issue a growing source of debate on the men’s and women’s tours.
“Every player was complaining about the ball, every single player,” said Pospisil
“It was like we were playing with a rock. I have never experienced anything like it in my life. Every time you hit the ball you felt pain in your wrist, elbows and shoulder.
“Players don’t talk about it openly. They are in the locker room. I mean, how many wrist surgeries have we seen this year? I can name several players.”
Now Djokovic has added his considerable influence to the debate, as he revealed his talks with ATP boss Gaudenzi at the ATP Finals in Turin last week.
“There has been a lot of discussions on the effect of the different balls and basically every week on the joints and the wrist and the shoulders and the elbows,” said Djokovic at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
“You know, I think someone told me that in terms of injuries this year comparing to other years, you know, drastically has gone up.
“So yeah, in terms of the balls, I absolutely agree there should be some discussion on that.
“I actually spoke about that with Andrea Gaudenzi, the ATP president, and Massimo, who is the CEO, in Paris during the Paris-Bercy week. I shared my opinion and my views.
“Obviously, they are thinking about various different options and ways of how to regulate and how to make it better for the players and prevent injuries. In terms of the scheduling.
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“There has been a lot of criticism and a lot of, yeah, basically players complaining about it. I think that should be addressed in a proper way. Obviously Davis Cup and ITF are regulated differently from ATP Tour and from Grand Slams.
“You have different governing bodies, different schedules, different broadcasting demands.
“In the end of the day we know that the TV is the one deciding, fortunately or unfortunately, but there has to be more discussions on that as well.”
When Djokovic speaks up on a big issue in the sport, action tends to follow soon after.
Yet the issue over the balls used in tennis will only be resolved if the governing bodies get together to agree on a strategy that may see one ball used on each different surface.
There is an argument that clay, grass and hard court tennis is enhanced if the right ball is used on each surface, but it is hard to justify changing balls on a weekly basis for events played on the same surface.
Sponsorship deals are in place that ensure different balls will be used throughout 2024, but the suggestions that the health of players is in danger may force the hand of tennis chiefs to embrace change.
