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Spain's Paula Badosa signs oversized promotional balls for fans at the US Open
Photo: CJ GUNTHER/EPA
Just before the start of the US Open, the debate about the different cue balls for men and women has arisen again.
Fourth in the world rankings Paula Badosa called the flight behavior of the lighter balls used in the women's tournament "horrible" and posted a comparison photo of the "Wilson regular duty" used for women and the heavier "Wilson extra duty" for men on Instagram.
She pointed out that even the packaging of the balls states that only the balls used in the men's tournament are intended for hard courts, but the light balls in the women's tournament are intended for clay and indoor courts.
The world number one Świątek had previously argued in a similar way.
"I've heard a lot of players complain about it because we have different balls than the men," said the 21-year-old recently.
The women's balls would "fly like crazy" because of the properties.
In view of the physical development in women's tennis, this is no longer up to date.
“We have a really strong game today.
It's not like it was ten years ago,” said the Pole.
The women's game ball during the US Open is a little less fluffy, but more aerodynamic thanks to a tighter weave at the ball seam.
"The women's ball plays a little easier, is less heavy on the racket and flies a little easier through the air," said Christopher Kas, coach of Wimbledon quarter-finalist Jule Niemeier, of the ARD sports show: "As a result, players sometimes have the feeling that the ball is more difficult to control.« Another problem is that the »Wilson regular duty« used in the women's tournament cannot be purchased in Europe and therefore cannot be used in training.
Ex-professional Corretja jumps to the side of top players
Former Spanish tennis pro Alex Corretja has also backed top players like Świątek or Badosa, who criticized the regulation at the last Grand Slam tournament of the year as no longer up to date.
Today's players "hit so hard that they need a little more control," said Corretja at Eurosport: "As a player, you have to have a feel for the game.
I think they should consider that maybe they'll just play with the same ball for next season." It makes "no sense to have different balls."
In the three other Grand Slam tournaments, men and women play with the same balls.
The US Open starts today at 7 p.m. local time (1 a.m. / Eurosport) Serena Williams will play the opening match against Danka Kovinić from Montenegrin in her last tournament.
see/dpa