Imagine traveling to a Grand Slam where your job is to play tennis against some of the best players in the world ahead of their matches.
Liam Krall is one of those who have been selected for this role at the US Open. The American recently graduated from college and was a star player on the college circuit. In 2022 he was named AAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player and the year prior was American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year. He played his first and only ATP Tour match at the Dallas Open, where he lost in three sets to Radu Albot.
In recent months, Krall had been nursing a back injury before starting his return to the sport in the summer. Now he is helping warm up some of the world’s best-known players at Flushing Meadows after coming through an application process.
In an interview with Ubitennis, Krall shares his thoughts on what it was like to hit with Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev.
UBITENNIS: You seem to be playing pretty well. How old are you?
KRALL: Thank you. I’m 22.
UBITENNIS: Do you have a ranking?
KRALL: No. Not yet. I just graduated college. I’m hoping to get a ranking after the US Open and go play some tournaments. Futures.
UBITENNIS: Where are you from?
KRALL: I actually live in New York but I graduated school in Texas.
UBITENNIS: Whereabouts in Texas?
KRALL: At SMU, Southern Methodist University. I played the Dallas Open two years ago there, too.
UBITENNIS: What is your impression about practicing with both Medvedev and Sinner?
KRALL: I mean, first of all, it’s such an honor to play with amazing players like that.
I’d say the biggest difference is not only their mentality but their physicality. They’re so strong and fit.
They’re able to do whatever they want with the ball from many different positions on the court where I’m just learning to do that.
So it’s a big gap, but it’s one maybe like I hope to strive for and see if I can give it a shot.
UBITENNIS: How would you point out the difference between their games?
KRALL: Sinner’s ball is really heavy. Medvedev’s is a little more flat. It stays lower to the ground. Because of this, I feel like it’s his backswing.
But, you know, all the balls they hit are very strong.
I feel like the only way to understand it is to experience it. And that’s what this hitting opportunity has done.
UBITENNIS: Do you see a difference between forehand and backhand between one and the other?
KRALL: Hitting can only go so far.
I haven’t played points against them, but they’re both incredibly solid.
I’d say they both have one of the best backhands in the world. Sinner might have one of the best backhands. But I think Medvedev’s also got a very good backhand.
UBITENNIS: So with Medvedev, is he more effective?
KRALL: I think he’s got a lot more feel. But sinner has a lot more power. I think they serve different purposes.
UBITENNIS: Do you think that Medvedev is capable of creating more angles or Sinner?
KRALL: I think Medvedev likes angles and Sinner’s got to expose his deep court position.
So it’s a game-style difference. It’s not a of what shot works better I think.
UBITENNIS: About the forehand, who was the best forehand between the two?
KRALL: I think Sinner’s forehand is bigger in terms of like topspin and speed.
But Medvedev’s he’s got a lot of feel you know, he knows where to place it. Very good placement. An awkward spin.
UBITENNIS And in terms of moving?
KRALL: I mean they’re both so good I don’t know how to describe it.
