‘Doesn’t Feel Good on My Arm’ – Taylor Fritz Draws Comparison Between Men and Women While Criticizing US Open’s Same-Ball Policy

Taylor Fritz came to light on the ATP tour, following his impressive win at the 2022 Indian Wells. Ever since then, the American has been soaring heights and has successfully positioned himself as a prominent player on the tour. Currently in Cincinnati, the 24-year-old is making the final touches to his game before finally heading to the US Open. However, recently, he called out the US Open for a major policy change this season.

Weeks ago, the last slam of the year announced a same-ball policy for men and women. An announcement that opened doors for discussion amongst athletes and fans in the tennis world. While many came out in support of the decision, others criticized the US Open for the same. The latest addition to the pool of criticism is Taylor Fritz, who drew a comparison between men and women to put forward his point.

Taylor Fritz calls out US Open for its policy change

Being in devastating form, Fritz, yesterday, outplayed 6th seeded Andrey Rublev to book a spot in the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Masters. Following the win, the World No.13 headed to the press conference where he opened up about the US Open having same balls for men and women this year.

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The 24-year-old started by talking about playing with lighter balls, previously used for women at the US Open. “I have played with them before. They are lighter. They fly more. I can serve like 150 miles per hour with the girls’ balls,” he said. “They fly a bit more, they’re a bit lighter. It makes sense, to be honest, I think the balls we use, Wilson, I think they are pretty heavy,” he further added.

Ideally, the men and women tour use the same balls throughout the year. However, it has been the US Open that uses different balls for men and women. Nevertheless, getting in line with the tour and other majors, the US Open will also be using the same balls from this year onwards.

Opening up about switching from lighter balls on the tour to heavy balls at the US Open, Fritz asserted, “Whenever I’m using the ATP or the Dunlop balls we use most of the year, and then I switch to the men’s Wilson balls, they’re heavy. It doesn’t feel good on my arm…”

With women set to use the same balls, he further added, “I can’t really imagine how it would feel for the women’s players as well. I don’t know.”

Playing with hard balls at the US Open

While Fritz criticized the US Open for opting to use the same hard balls for women, Iga Swiatek, on the other hand, expressed her wish to use the same balls. However, Swiatek’s view didn’t seem to get a clear approval from Fritz.

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“I’m sure it’s going to be different based off how people hit the ball, people’s strokes, whatever,” Fritz said when asked to comment on Swiatek’s wish. “I just know that when I switch from the ball we normally use to the men’s Wilson ball, it doesn’t feel good on my arm, so I feel like if I’m saying that, then maybe some girls would also have the same issue playing with the balls. To each his own. 

While Fritz opened up about the policy change of the US Open, he hasn’t let it shift his focus from the ongoing Cincinnati Masters. Outplaying Rublev in the third round, the American sensation will next look to battle past the top seeded Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals.