Casper Ruud admits he is ‘getting so tired’ of players complaining about ball changes
Casper Ruud has expressed his annoyance at players complaining about frequent ball changes on both the ATP and WTA Tours, claiming that some are ‘making drama out of nothing’.
Ruud was in Basel this week, but lost in the first round to the in-form Roberto Bautista Agut in three sets on Wednesday.
This continues a poor run of form for Ruud, who has only won two of his last nine matches and is clinging onto one of those top eight spots to qualify for the ATP Finals.
However, it was not Ruud’s form that was frustrating him when speaking to the Nothing Major Podcast, that is hosted by recently retired American players John Isner, Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson and Jack Sock.
The Norwegian spoke about the issue of ball changes, that has been a big topic of conversation on tour over the past couple of years, with some players linking it to increased wrist and elbow injuries.
Ruud did not seem to see it that way though, “You see players complain about the balls all the time. I’m getting so tired of like ‘Oh, I feel my elbow… I feel this, that. I can’t produce power. It suits this player…’ Come on. Just play.”
The World No.8 continued, “For me what’s funny is some players come like five days in advance to practice. And I do it myself a lot of the times, unless you’re going from tournament to tournament. They string like 28 rackets to get the right tension. Then they come to the fourth round and start complaining about the balls. But it’s been the same balls for the past nine days.
“What’s the point of bringing it up now to the umpire? Like what is he gonna change? ‘Yeah, let me call Dunlop I’ll have them send over a can for you’. What’s the point? Just to make drama out of nothing.”
Some of those players to have been vocal about this issue include Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, Iga Swiatek and Emma Raducanu, alongside many others.
Medvedev on balls in Shanghai
“Now even when I make a good return, there are one of two where I can’t hit a better return and the ball stops through the air….it favors people who can generate power from dead balls. Jannik and Carlos…it gives them an extra edge.”
🎥: ATP Media pic.twitter.com/gEEmpdo5kA
— TennisONE App (@TennisONEApp) October 6, 2024
Ruud will be hoping that ball changes are not a topic of conversation in Paris-Bercy next week, where he will also be attempting to change his fortunes on the matchcourt.
Inside the baseline…
It is somewhat surprising that Casper Ruud has been so vocal on this issue and going against the grain of the majority of people. It is understandable that Ruud finds it annoying when a player has been playing with the same balls at one tournament and only starts complaining when they are losing, something that Daniil Medvedev can sometimes be accused of. However, Ruud also has somewhat of a luxury in that he appears not to have been affected injury wise by these ball changes and maybe if he had then he would change his mind.
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