The Portuguese and official match balls have a bittersweet relationship. We have seen the ball denying the royal touch of Cristiano Ronaldo in a World Cup game. Now, his compatriot in tennis, Gastao Elias along with Paula Badosa and others have slammed the ATP for the balls they use in matches. Elias even went on to ask ATP for the compensation of his recoveries.

There has been a significant number of criticisms over the match ball recently in tennis. It’s been a hot topic and players find it as one of the main reasons for fatigue and injuries of the elbows, wrists, arm, and shoulder. This time Gastao Elias rises to the occasion after his defeat to Marco Trungelliti of Argentina (6-1, 6-4) in the Buenos Aires Challenger qualifiers. Portugal vs Argentina is never short of drama, so what did he have to say?

Paula Badosa comes in support of Gastao Elias

The tennis match ball unites two players from the Iberian Peninsula. ITF defines official tennis balls to be 2.5-2.7 inches in diameter with a weight of around 2 ounces. Understandably, Grand Slams around the world use different brands to adjust to different surfaces. But with the rise in popularity of the game, the commercial part of it is also being considered now. As a result tournament officials are keeping in mind to slow down the game and increase the rallies, besides striking partnership deals with the ball manufacturers. Longer rallies demand extra efforts and this may lead to excessive stress on the player’s body. The furore over the same has erupted of late.

Elias said, “I demand ATP tour to pay for all the physiotherapy I will need after playing with these balls they are making us play with. I’ve been on tour for many years and I’ve never seen anything like this. THIS IS INHUMANE!” He doesn’t look happy at all. Does he? Here’s what Paula Badosa said in reply, “Agree! The issue is not only ATP unfortunately… With the WTA we are having the same problems for years as well. We need a change from both sides.”

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Now what seemed to be an individual complaint turned out to be a mass problem in the tennis world. The official match ball of the ATP Tour is Dunlop, still, keeping the commercial ties in mind since there ain’t any hard and fast rule. Here’s where players want to jump in and urge officials to reconsider.

Not only Badosa, there is plenty of support for Elias

As soon as the Australian Open struck a deal with Dunlop, Rafael Nadal expressed his unhappiness with the ball. Even the 20-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz expressed his discontentment over frequent ball changes in the tournaments. Taylor Fritz said that he has been dealing with wrist issues since the beginning of the US Open and three different balls in three weeks didn’t suit him at all, while the world number 3, Daniil Medvedev complained about the ball getting bigger and fluffier after just a few shots.

Certainly, frequent longer rallies ain’t serving any good to the players. Tennis players are one of the fittest in the world. Tennis is one of the richest sports in the world. Therefore, it demands fitness to build a long career and make a name, competitions are also higher than ever before. Players, don’t want to risk their career over 2 ounces. Do you think the authorities must look into this matter seriously? 

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