Iga Swiatek conqueror contrasts with number one on US Open balls issue – ‘They’re my favourite’

Madison Keys is a big fan of the tennis balls used for the US Open series and at the New York Slam, a view completely opposite to that of world number one Iga Swiatek. 

Women use less rugged ‘Regular Duty’ Wilson tennis balls compared to the men, who use ‘Extra Duty’ balls with more surface felt.

Swiatek does not like the difference in ball use, describing the ones WTA pros have to use as “horrible”.

Meanwhile, immediately after overcoming the two-time Slam champion 6-3, 6-4, Keys countered that opinion.

“It’s like my favourite ball,” she told reporters. “I mean it’s what we practise with all of the time. The US Open Regular Duty is my favourite ball. 

“It starts pretty fast, and I think it’s one of those balls that actually stays pretty consistent throughout until ball change.

“They don’t get as fluffy, so they never really slow down, which is great for me. But I mean, I can see why [Swiatek] doesn’t like them.”

While Keys says she practises with the US Open balls all the time, Swiatek claims the story is very different for her as a non-American player.

“We can’t get those balls in Europe, or actually, when we buy them at store, they are totally different than the tournament balls, so when I’m practising with US Open balls at home, I’m practising with men’s ones,” the Pole said.

Keys will not be fussed about the balls, but instead will be relishing her first win over a world number one player at her sixth attempt.

Next up, the 2017 US Open finalist takes on Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina for a place in the Cincinnati Open semi-finals.

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