(Toronto) From his arrival until his departure from Toronto, Daniil Medvedev hammered home the same thing: he doesn’t like the balls used this season.
During his press conference during media day last Sunday, this remark from the world’s third-ranked player seemed rather innocuous: “The balls are fast, usually, but this year I don’t know if it’s me, if it’s has something to do with climate change, all the balls on the circuit have become slower. That’s my impression. Even here, in practice, we do two or three games and they become very slow. »
The week ran its course and Medvedev, champion of two Masters 1000 titles this season, won against Matteo Arnaldi and Lorenzo Musetti without losing a set.
After his loss, he returned to the issue of the Wilson brand and US Open series balls used this week in Toronto.
He didn’t do it to find an excuse or to explain his defeat. That’s not the Russian type.
However, he believes that due to the quality of the balls, he had to readjust his way of playing and that is what has disrupted his preparation.
“I said it at the start of the tournament, the balls… phew! “, he launched after his match against de Minaur, somewhat dismayed and in search of answers.
In his opinion, since the balls bounce less, softer balls can benefit some more powerful players. However, when the balls remain hard, all the players are at the same level, because they are used to evolving in these conditions.
“There are some players who can [hit well], because they are really strong and they penetrate the ball, like Carlos [Alcaraz], [Alejandro] Davidovich Fokina and Casper [Ruud] too, and other players are like me. I don’t have the power to generate enough speed quickly on slow balls. »
The condition of the balls had also been talked about at the start of the season at the Australian Open.
Then the debate died down. Then Medvedev revived it a few weeks before the last major tournament of the season.
“In practices with my coaches, you hit, say 20 shots right in the middle, and then you take the ball and it’s dead. […] This is the trend. And it costs long rallies and that’s a shame because I like long rallies, because not everyone can resist, but with soft balls, everyone can. But here, I have to adapt. »
Medvedev, although he believes he has been disadvantaged, refuses to dwell on this detail. Things have been said. His opinion has been given. Now, he must do everything to try to regain his feelings. As great champions should do.
“I have to adapt. I’m sure when Novak [Djokovic] started winning, everything was different, like balls, pitches, equipment, and he adapted. I like fastballs, but if they slow down, I have to adjust. »
Alex de Minaur, also questioned on this subject following the Russian’s comments, also underlined how much the quality of a ball could change and transform the sensations and ease of players on the circuit.
In fact, he too noticed a difference.
“The first days of my arrival, I really had a hard time feeling the balls well. I found that they traveled a lot and I had a hard time adjusting, especially after returning from Los Cabos. It was hard to control them. In Los Cabos they looked bigger, and here they look smaller. When they get older, they stop traveling. »
However, unlike Medvedev, de Minaur was able to overcome these conditions and make it to the final.
“I feel the surface speed is quite fast, but I was able to stay in the tournament long enough to adjust. »
For ATP players, even the most mundane elements for Sunday amateurs can turn their preparation and performance upside down.
It can be the tension of the string, the surface of the game, the wrapping of the handle of the racquet or, as here, the balls.
Medvedev will have to get used to it, however, if he wants to win a second US Open title.
