Nick Kyrgios has criticized the ATP for the consistent changing of balls between tournaments which has led to Novak Djokovic’s wrist injury.
World No.1 Novak Djokovic faced an unexpected loss to Australia’s Alex De Minaur during the United Cup on Wednesday. The 36-year-old Serbian was seen struggling with his right wrist throughout the match, which called for a medical timeout in the first set.
It was also visible during Djokovic’s match against Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka on Tuesday where he received treatment for the same. This back-to-back incident has caught the attention of Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios who feels that the change of balls in various tournaments has led to the Serb’s injury.
Kyrgios took to X(formerly Twiter) to express his frustration with the ATP and held them responsible for Djokovic’s wrist injury. He urged them to find a solution to the problem of consistency in the balls used.
“Change of balls every week finally got to Novak’s wrist, the ATP really need to do something about this problem. Players suffer all the time.”
-Nick Kyrgios on X
Change of balls every week finally got to novaks wrist 😭 the atp really need to do something about this problem. Players suffer all the time 🙏🏽
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 3, 2024
Every tennis tournament has a contract with a ball manufacturer, which leads to a variety of balls used across events. For example, the Wimbledon Open uses Slazenger, The US and French Open uses Wilson and the Australian Open uses Dunlop.
This inconsistency leads to the change in the weight of balls from one tournament to another and results in a change in load on the hitting arms. Many top players like Taylor Fritz, Stan Wawrinka, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Sebastian Korda have suffered injuries in their wrists, shoulder, or elbow.
Nick Kyrgios did not intend to diminish Alex De Minaur’s efforts
Nick Kyrgios took to X and highlighted the issue of the ‘change of balls’ which he feels to be the reason behind Novak Djokovic’s loss to Alex De Minaur at the United Cup.
At the same time, he did not want to take away the credit from his fellow Australian mate Alex De Minaur’s efforts to defeat the World No.1 during the tie between Serbia and Australia.
“Ok for the noobs that think I’m taking credit away from Alex are just plain dumb. Demon is a hell of a player and deserves every success that comes his way.”
-Nick Kyrgios on X
Ok for the noobs that think I’m taking credit away from Alex are just plain dumb. Demon is a hell of a player and deserves every success that comes his way.
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 3, 2024
