By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, August 18, 2023
Iga Swiatek is an agent of change. It’s created a sore spot for Ons Jabeur.
World No. 1 Swiatek was among several top players advocating the US Open change from the Wilson US Open regular duty felt ball women have used for the past decade to the Wilson US Open extra duty felt ball the men use.
Allaster: US Open Ball is in WTA’s Court
In response, Montreal, Cincinnati and the US Open complied and are giving Swiatek and others the ball they wanted. Women are playing with the Wilson US Open extra duty felt ball in Cincinnati this week and will trial the ball at the US Open, which starts on August 28th.
US Open finalist Jabeur isn’t a fan of the ball. Jabeur, joking she hopes “Iga is happy,” said the ball feels heavier, gives her a sore shoulder and still flies.
“Yeah, my shoulder is so sore,” Jabeur said with a smile. “I don’t know why Iga and the others wanted to change, to be honest with you. I hope Iga is happy (smiling).
“No, but they’re different, yeah. For sure they’re heavier. I’m not quite sure — it’s flying, like, the ball is still flying. I’m not sure what’s the difference in there.”
Last summer, Swiatek stated blunt dissatisfaction with the Wilson US Open regular duty felt ball though she went on to capture the US Open championship playing with a ball she detests.
“Honestly, I don’t like them,” Swiatek said before the 2022 US Open. “I have heard many players actually complaining, as well. Woman players, because we have different balls than men. I know it sounds weird, but basically the thing is that they are lighter. They fly like crazy. “You know, we have really powerful games right now. … Right now we play powerful, and we kind of can’t loosen up our hands with these balls. I know that there are many players who complain, and many of them are top 10.”
So what’s the future of the Wilson US Open extra duty felt ball at the Flushing Meadows major?
US Open Tournament Director and former WTA Chief Stacey Allaster told the media in a Zoom call, the tournament will use whatever the ball the WTA decides it wants.
“Right now this is a trial,” Allaster said. “The WTA is polling the players. They’ve been playing with the ball in Canada and Cincinnati. We’ll expect the WTA to tell us at the end of the 2023 US Open if they’d like to continue with the Wilson Extra Duty or they prefer to go back to the regular felt balls.
“100% in the athletes’ decision. We’re happy to do whatever the…
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