Emma Raducanu calls for uniformity of tennis balls on tour – ‘A lot of players are struggling’
Emma Raducanu has hit out at the regular use of different tennis balls on the tour, adding to the growing number of players to air their concerns that it increases the risk of injury.
For Raducanu, though, it is particularly worrisome given she only returned to the tour at the start of the year after undergoing surgery on both of her wrists and spending eight months on the sidelines.
“The conditions are very different in Indian Wells compared to Miami,” Raducanu said. “It’s very humid. The balls are very heavy. They are different, which I don’t think is great for any of the players’ wrists, but especially mine.
“I honestly think it’s really bad for us, the way that we have to switch balls every single week and especially when you’ve gone through surgeries.
“I know a lot of players who are struggling with wrist problems, too. I don’t understand why every other sport is pretty much the same, whereas in tennis it’s different week to week.”
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Former men’s world No. 1
he had been contacted by two high-profile coaches about the balls manufactured by Penn that are being used at Indian Wells.
The 2003 US Open champion expressed his dismay on X (formerly Twitter) that the situation has “not been fixed over time.”
As it stands, tournament organisers are free to negotiate their own ball deal but a solution is believed to be under consideration by tour officials.
Despite her concerns, Raducanu was buoyed by her performance in California as her comeback continues.
After losing in the second and first rounds in Abu Dhabi and Qatar respectively, the 21-year-old claimed two wins at Indian Wells before falling to Sabalenka and was pleased with her improved mindset.
“I did make progress here on the match court compared to when I was playing in the Middle East last month,” she added.
“I had a better mentality: just fighting a lot harder for every point. I think I’m proud of myself for that, just really showing up, being hungry and wanting to be there.”
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