Alcaraz Urges ATP to Prioritize Player Well-Being

World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz has once again voiced concerns over the ATP Tour’s scheduling and equipment policies, urging changes to safeguard players’ well-being. After previously criticizing the congested calendar, the Spaniard is now advocating against the use of different types of balls across various tournaments.

The Impact of Constantly Changing Tennis Balls

Speaking after his Rotterdam Open debut, where he defeated Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-1 in the opening round, Alcaraz highlighted how frequently changing balls can lead to injuries.

“I think there were a lot of injuries last year, a lot of players with elbow or shoulder injuries. They need to change something. I know they’re going to change it. Every week, practically every week, we have different balls, different conditions, so it’s difficult to adapt to it,” Alcaraz said.

Despite acknowledging the issue, the four-time Grand Slam champion noted that he has not yet suffered physical problems due to the inconsistency.

“I have not had physical problems because of it so far. I work every day to be in shape, right now I’m fine,” he added.

Taylor Fritz Echoes Concerns Over Ball-Related Injuries

Alcaraz’s concerns align with those of Taylor Fritz, who recently suffered an oblique injury due to the inconsistencies in tennis balls.

“It was my oblique. It was caused by the balls that were supposed to be the same as the ones we were using here and the ones we used in Australia, but they just weren’t,” Fritz told Tennis Channel.

Players Forced to Adapt Despite Challenges

Although Alcaraz acknowledged the difficulties, he remained optimistic about players’ ability to adjust.

“New balls, everything seems to move very fast… and after two or three exchanges, the ball becomes very big, making it difficult to play aggressively. Still, I don’t want to complain about it; I feel that even so, you can show a good level of tennis.”

The Spaniard is coming off a quarter-final exit at the Australian Open, where he lost to Novak Djokovic despite winning the opening set. As the ATP Tour continues, Alcaraz’s call for consistency in playing conditions could spark discussions about potential reforms to enhance player safety and performance.