(New York) Men and women will now use the same balls at the US Open after some players complained about the quality of the balls used.
Favorite Iga Swiatek – who eventually won the tournament – was one of those who felt that the lighter balls used by the women didn’t hold their shape as long as those used by the men.
The Flushing Meadows tournament was the only one of the four Grand Slam tournaments to use different balls for men and women.
Stacey Allaster, competition director, said on Thursday that the choice of the type of balls used is up to the tours and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) only needs to know their preferences so that enough balls are ordered.
The request has been made and the change of balls will take place for the next edition, which will begin on August 28.
Among other rule changes, coaches will now be able to use tablets and players will be able to challenge more game situations, such as a ball that has been bounced twice.
