World No. 6 Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev has clarified his comments regarding slow and heavy tennis balls.
Medvedev acknowledges that varying ball and court speeds can be advantageous for some players and disadvantageous for others, which he considers normal. He stated that he has no issue with slow balls or slow courts in principle. However, his main point is a desire for more variety. He wishes to see faster balls and courts introduced more frequently in the professional circuit, noting that while fast courts still exist, fast balls seem to have become rare.
He believes the lack of faster balls is becoming a problem for certain players, and that it can be a significant factor when players unexpectedly drop in rankings. Medvedev recalls his success in 2023, winning five tournaments with similar ball conditions, demonstrating his capability to perform well even with slower balls. He emphasizes the importance of self-belief and mental fortitude, areas where he feels he has occasionally struggled recently.
Medvedev is confident in his abilities and reiterates that while he can adapt, the prevalence of slow balls negatively impacts his game by amplifying his weaknesses. He recognizes that slow balls can benefit other players, and he doesn’t object to their presence in tennis. His preference is for a more balanced approach, with a 50/50 split between fast and slow conditions, which he feels is not currently the case. He mentions experimenting with various racket setups and string tensions to adjust, with varying degrees of success.
