By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, August 18, 2023
Iga Swiatek is an agent of change. It is created a sore spot for Ons Jabeur.
World No. 1 Swiatek was amongst a number of prime gamers advocating the US Open change from the Wilson US Open common obligation felt ball ladies have used for the previous decade to the Wilson US Open additional obligation felt ball the boys use.
Allaster: US Open Ball is in WTA’s Courtroom
In response, Montreal, Cincinnati and the US Open complied and are giving Swiatek and others the ball they needed. Girls are enjoying with the Wilson US Open additional obligation felt ball in Cincinnati this week and can trial the ball on the US Open, which begins on August twenty eighth.
US Open finalist Jabeur is not a fan of the ball. Jabeur, joking she hopes “Iga is blissful,” stated the ball feels heavier, provides her a sore shoulder and nonetheless flies.
“Yeah, my shoulder is so sore,” Jabeur stated with a smile. “I do not know why Iga and the others needed to vary, to be trustworthy with you. I hope Iga is blissful (smiling).
“No, however they’re totally different, yeah. For certain they’re heavier. I am not fairly certain — it is flying, like, the ball remains to be flying. I am undecided what is the distinction in there.”
Final summer season, Swiatek said blunt dissatisfaction with the Wilson US Open common obligation felt ball although she went on to seize the US Open championship enjoying with a ball she detests.
“Actually, I do not like them,” Swiatek stated earlier than the 2022 US Open. “I’ve heard many gamers really complaining, as nicely. Lady gamers, as a result of now we have totally different balls than males. I do know it sounds bizarre, however mainly the factor is that they’re lighter. They fly like loopy. “You recognize, now we have actually highly effective video games proper now. … Proper now we play highly effective, and we form of cannot loosen up our palms with these balls. I do know that there are lots of gamers who complain, and lots of of them are prime 10.”
So what’s the way forward for the Wilson US Open additional obligation felt ball on the Flushing Meadows main?
US Open Match Director and former WTA Chief Stacey Allaster instructed the media in a Zoom name, the match will use regardless of the ball the WTA decides it needs.
“Proper now it is a trial,” Allaster stated. “The WTA is polling the gamers. They have been enjoying with the ball in Canada and Cincinnati. We’ll anticipate the WTA to inform us on the finish of the 2023 US Open in the event that they’d wish to proceed with the Wilson Additional Responsibility or they like to return to the common felt balls.
“100% within the athletes’ determination. We’re blissful to do regardless of the athletes need because it pertains to the ball. So is our very long time, 45-year companion Wilson.”
Photograph credit score: Rob Newell/CameraSport