Paula Badosa calls for ‘change from both ATP and WTA sides’

The big ball debate on both the ATP and WTA Tours is back in the news with Paula Badosa saying it is time for change after concerns were once again raised about the number of injuries in tennis.

Under current guidelines, each tournament is allowed to use its own ball manufacturer and some events opt for slightly heavier balls while others prefer ones that are a tiny bit lighter.

However, players are not happy as they have to adapt to new balls every other week and some believe it has resulted in an increase in wrist, elbow, arm and shoulder injuries.

Portuguese player Gastao Elias took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday to complain about the balls being used in men’s tennis, writing: “I demand @atptour to pay for all the physiotherapy I will need after playing with these balls they are making us play with. I’ve been on tour for many years and I’ve never seen anything like this. THIS IS INHUMANE!”

And former world No 3 Badosa piped up to say women’s tennis is experiencing the same problem.

“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,” the Spaniard wrote.

American tennis player Tennys Sandgren then also called out the ATP and WTA, saying players want answers.

“I want to know what changed that so many players across all levels of both tours are complaining that the balls suck @atptour @WTA what have you done? Your independent contractors would like to know,” he wrote.

The trio are not the first to voice their concerns with former world No 1 Daniil Medvedev stating at the start of the year that the balls that were used at the Australian Open were not “good enough”.

The 2021 US Open added: “I had a very big pain in my wrist, but I thought, okay, that’s my problem, so I’m not going to talk much about it.”

And he wasn’t the only one to complain about the balls causing injuries as the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas, Taylor Fritz and Vasek Posipil also expressed their unhappiness.

In September Posipil demanded change, saying: “The balls have been getting incrementally heavier and surprise surprise, it’s killing our bodies. Almost every player I’ve spoken to feels the same way.

“I’ve never seen more wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries in the locker room. If these changes to the ball don’t start getting reversed, it’s only going to get worse. Please start listening @atptour @wtatour. Player injuries are bad for you too.”

Taylor Fritz also feels his wrist injuries have increased due to the balls, writing: “Have been dealing w wrist issues since beginning of USO series cause of ball changes✌🏻we went 3 different balls in 3 weeks.”

READ MORE: ‘It’s killing our bodies’ – Tennis bosses told their balls-up will lead to more injuries