'These balls are not good enough for...' - Daniil Medvedev claims low-quality Tennis Balls used in China benefit certain players

Daniil Medvedev progressed to the third round of the Shanghai Masters after defeating Thiago Seyboth Wild in straight sets. However, he faced some challenges during the match when he expressed concerns about the quality of the balls used in the tournament. 

Medvedev's displeasure with the quality of the Tennis Balls

Earlier, Medvedev received a walkover in the first round. In the initial set of the match, he raised the issue with the supervisor, stating that the balls did not meet the standards of professional tennis and seemed to be deteriorating quickly. Medvedev emphasized the importance of maintaining high-quality equipment in professional tournaments.

"These balls are not good enough for professional tennis. This is one of the biggest tournaments in the world and the balls are destroyed after 5 games. No pressure at all," the Russian said.

Medvedev felt Sinner and Alacaraz benefitted from such Tennis balls

Medvedev recently discussed how the tennis balls used in Shanghai favour players who can generate power from dead balls, citing Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as the main beneficiaries. 

He acknowledged that while some players excel with these balls, others may struggle. Despite feeling that the situation gives certain players an edge, Medvedev emphasized his determination to adapt and compete to the best of his abilities. He also mentioned his efforts to enhance his power through extensive practice, acknowledging the challenges posed by his body type. 

Despite these obstacles, he remains focused on delivering strong performances on the court.

Daniil: “I don’t think anyone is changing. I think it favours people who can benefit power from dead balls. Some have better quality with this. Some don’t. The two best players at doing this.. they’re already the best players in the world.. and I’m sure they would be without the balls, but with these balls.. they’re the only players who can generate crazy power. It’s Jannik and Carlos. It gives them an extra edge. But I try to fight with what I can. We practice a lot. I try to get this power, which I’ve never had since I was young. Because of the way my body type is. There were even tests on the muscle that measure power and explosiveness, and I don’t have the explosiveness. I can generate a lot of power like going through the ball, but not when the ball is stopped. I try to do what I can. I still play not bad. I’m fighting and I wanna go all the way.”