This year’s French Open will take place with a new ball supplier in a move that has bemused the tournament’s most decorated player of all time.
12-time champion Rafael Nadal has lamented the decision to ditch the use of Babolat balls for Wilson. The new balls are said to be slower which has frustrated the world No.2 who faces the prospect of his opponents being able to return his topspin shots more easily than in the past editions in Paris. On top of that, due to the tournament taking place later in the year because of the COVID-19 pandemic the conditions will be cooler and the ball will be heavier to hit.
“In Mallorca with warm conditions, the ball was very slow, I think it is not a good ball to play with on clay, honestly. That is my personal opinion,” Nadal told reporters. “It is not the right ball to play on clay court. [And] with these conditions, it makes things tougher, no? But I knew before I arrived here. No problem at all. Just accept the challenge.”
Refusing to hold back in his views, Nadal said he hopes organisers will reconsider the use of Wilson balls after 2020. His argument is that making players hit heavier balls could put more strain on them and therefore elevates the risk of injury.
“I really believe that the organisation needs to take a look at that for the next couple of years, for the health of the players too, because the ball is super heavy. (It) becomes dangerous for the elbow and for the shoulders, I think.” He stated.
Despite only playing three matches on the clay this season, the 34-year-old remains the bookies favourite to win the French Open once again. Since his debut, the Spaniard has won 93 out of 95 matches played and has only been taken to five sets twice. However, due to the unusual circumstances this year Nadal admits that he is facing ‘the most difficult situation’ when it comes to the conditions.
Whilst the reigning champion is far from happy about the ball swap, others have been more receptive to the move. Dominic Thiem, who finished runner-up at the French Open two years in a row, says the balls are ‘good.’ Although he is another person who is partly unhappy about the change.
“I practised two days at home with the ball. Now, of course, here. I’m a little bit sad because the Babolat at Roland Garros, it was my favourite ball, it was perfect,” said Thiem.
“Obviously it was the ball from my racket company. (It) was fast, was taking spin incredibly well. But the Wilson ball is good, as well. It’s just a little bit slower. It gets a little bit bigger after a while.”
Daniil Medvedev is more positive as he hopes to end his dismal run at Roland Garros. The world No.5 is yet to win a main draw match in his career after suffering three consecutive first round losses.
“I like the balls because, yeah, tennis is a funny and interesting sport,” he said.
“It’s normal that when one player doesn’t like something, second one maybe is going to like it. So far I like it. I think it suits me not bad.”
Nadal will start his French Open campaign against Egor Gerasimov.
