Once again, the issue of constant injuries in professional tennis is being examined; Alcaraz is firm about it. After his first game at the 2025 Rotterdam Open, the global No. Three pointed out the inconsistency of tennis balls used across many events as a key cause of the increasing number of player injuries.
Alcaraz stressed that many players have experienced elbow and shoulder problems from the ongoing fluctuations in ball types. The Spaniard thinks tennis authorities must intervene to solve this issue before it causes more damage. Top players, including Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, and Emma Raducanu, have all noted the dangers of these changes.
While this has grown over the last two years, the argument surrounding tennis ball adjustments is not fresh. Particularly outspoken, Daniil Medvedev expressed his concerns in 2023 that the irregular balls might cause chronic shoulder pain. Even at the Shanghai Masters, he highlighted the seriousness of the issue by mentioning it to the event manager.
Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek have also raised issues about how these modifications affect their performance and raise injury risk. Some players, such as Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, appear to adjust well to particular kinds of balls, while others have found it hard, bringing a more general debate about fairness and player health.
Returning to the Rotterdam Open, the first tournament since the Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz got back into action. The Spaniard required three sets to win in a close first match against Botic van de Zandschulp. Although he began slowly, the 21-year-old found his rhythm and sealed the match 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-1.
“I think last year there were a lot of injuries, a lot of players with elbow or shoulder problems. Something has to change. I know they will. Every week, almost every week, we have different balls, different conditions, so it’s complicated to adapt to them. I had a good training to adapt, but it was tough,” Carlos Alcaraz said in the post-match press conference.
After his victory, he again underlined the necessity of the ATP solving the ball inconsistency issue. Though he recognized that players must adjust to various circumstances, he argued that the governing bodies should guarantee the best conditions for athletes. His demand for change shows the rising frustration among professionals who believe their worries are poorly tackled.
“With new balls, everything seems to go very fast… and after two or three rallies, the ball becomes very big and it’s a bit difficult to play aggressively with it. But I don’t want to complain, I think that despite everything, we can show a good level of tennis,” Carlos Alcaraz added.
Ths issue of ball conditions goes beyond Carlos Alcaraz. Since early 2023, both ATP and WTA players have been vocal about changing ball conditions. Beyond mere comfort, the problem directly influences player lifespan and health. For all parties involved, a demanding travel calendar meant that injuries might stop a player’s season or even their whole career.
Not only do the regular ball changes affect match play, but they also hinder players from being consistent in their performance. Training only with one kind of ball before switching to another in the next event puts extra stress on the body, causing accidents. With many wishing Alcaraz’s words will cause the ATP to act meaningfully, the calls for consistency in ball selection are becoming more strident.
Once more, Carlos Alcaraz’s opinion emphasizes the urgent need for transformations in professional tennis. Injuries are becoming a regular issue, so players demand a consistent ball-selection policy throughout competitions. Whether the ATP acts clearly will have to be shown, but one thing is sure — players no longer want to stay quiet on an issue that explicitly affects their livelihood and health. For more fearless sports coverage, visit Stadium Rant.
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