Daniil Medvedev quickly realized he was in a difficult position at Roland Garros. Facing Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the opening round, he struggled to find his rhythm.
With his chances of progressing in one of the sport’s most prestigious events slipping away, the 29-year-old decided on an unusual move. Mid-match, he requested his rackets be restrung with a different setup, swapping his usual hybrid of natural gut and polyester strings for a full polyester alternative.
While minor tension adjustments are common, few players change string types entirely during play. Yet Medvedev has done so multiple times this season. “Before 2023, I never did it,” he admitted. “But things shifted on tour, and I had to adjust. Now I’m never certain.”
Medvedev pointed to changes in the balls used on tour over recent years, leaving him unsure how best to optimize his game. The quality and consistency of tennis balls have become a major concern for players worldwide. “The biggest difference I’ve noticed compared to maybe a decade or two ago is the balls,” Novak Djokovic said.
At the highest level of tennis, adapting to varying conditions—especially the frequent changes in balls—poses a significant challenge. Different tournaments contract with different manufacturers, leading to additional difficulties. Some attribute rising injuries to players constantly adjusting to new ball types.
Many believe the current balls degrade faster than before. Emma Raducanu described this as a problem on the court and a potential injury risk: “The balls are a major challenge for all of us,” she said. “They deteriorate quickly, becoming very fluffy. You’re seeing more wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries now. The way points play out changes dramatically from new balls to old ones.”
Fresh tennis balls have a tight felt coating, but as they wear down from play, the surface loosens, reducing aerodynamics and speed. This forces players to hit harder, making winners harder to achieve and lengthening rallies. Some think the felt degrades more rapidly now than in the past.
Part of the issue may trace back to disruptions in production during the pandemic, affecting the consistency of materials supplied to ball manufacturers. As players adapt, the game itself is evolving. Even traditionally less powerful competitors like Norrie are finding new ways to succeed under these conditions.
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