Iga Swiatek says there have been multiple complaints from players on the women’s Tour over the selection of balls for this year’s US Open.
The two-time Grand Slam champion didn’t mince her words by describing the balls being used at the New York major are ‘horrible’ and revealed there have been discussions with the WTA CEO Steve Simon over the matter. At the US Open, two different types of balls will be used for the men’s and women’s tournaments. Lighter ones will be used on the women’s Tour which could work at a disadvantage for the heavier-hitting players.
“Honestly, I don’t like them. I have heard many players actually complaining, as well. Women players because we have different balls than men,” Swiatek said following her 6-4, 7-5, win over Sloane Stephens in Cincinnati.
“The thing is that they are lighter. They fly like crazy. We (female tennis players) have really powerful games right now. It’s not like 10 years ago. Right now we play powerful, and we kind of can’t loosen up our hands with these balls. I know that many players complain, and many of them are top 10.”
Out of the four majors, the US Open is the only one to have different balls for men and women. They are supplied by Wilson who has been a partner of the tournament for over 40 years. A lighter, less fluffy ball is deployed for the women’s competition, with the perception that they are faster.
Swiatek believes the development of the women’s game and the medical treatment players now receive justifies that there is no need to have such a difference at the New York major.
“We make more mistakes (with these balls), for sure. So I don’t think that’s really nice to watch visually,” she said. “I don’t know why they are different from men’s ones. 15 years ago probably women had some elbow injuries because the balls were heavier and they changed them to women’s balls, but right now we are so physically well prepared that I don’t think it would happen.”
“I feel, it’s really hard to control them, but everybody has the same conditions, so we are trying to deal with that. I don’t get why they are different, honestly.” She added.
It is not the first time there have been complaints about the balls. Craig Tyzzer, who is the former coach of Ash Barty, once said the Australian would never win the US Open due to the balls used. Barty never got beyond the fourth round of the tournament during her career.
Swiatek confirmed that she and another top 10 player have previously spoken with WTA CEO Simon about trying to change the US Open balls to the same as the men’s tournament. However, the world No.1 admits she stopped focusing on the issue due to other events going on in the world.
“Me and Paula Badosa last year talked with Steve about changing to men’s balls. I don’t think it would be a problem because it’s still the same company. Maybe we should push a bit more. I stopped pushing and trying to convince WTA because the war in Ukraine happened and I refocused on something else.” She said.
The US Open will begin on August 29th.
