I Hope Iga is Pleased

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, August 18, 2023

Iga Swiatek is an agent of change. It’s created a sore spot for Ons Jabeur.

World No. 1 Swiatek was amongst a number of prime gamers advocating the US Open change from the Wilson US Open common obligation felt ball girls have used for the previous decade to the Wilson US Open additional obligation felt ball the boys use.

Allaster: US Open Ball is in WTA’s Court

In response, Montreal, Cincinnati and the US Open complied and are giving Swiatek and others the ball they wished. Women are taking part in with the Wilson US Open additional obligation felt ball in Cincinnati this week and can trial the ball on the US Open, which begins on August twenty eighth.

US Open finalist Jabeur is not a fan of the ball. Jabeur, joking she hopes “Iga is happy,” mentioned the ball feels heavier, offers her a sore shoulder and nonetheless flies.

“Yeah, my shoulder is so sore,” Jabeur mentioned with a smile. “I don’t know why Iga and the others wanted to change, to be honest with you. I hope Iga is happy (smiling).

“No, however they’re totally different, yeah. For positive they’re heavier. I’m not fairly positive — it is flying, like, the ball continues to be flying. I’m undecided what is the distinction in there.”

Last summer season, Swiatek acknowledged blunt dissatisfaction with the Wilson US Open common obligation felt ball although she went on to seize the US Open championship taking part in with a ball she detests.

“Honestly, I don’t like them,” Swiatek mentioned earlier than the 2022 US Open. “I have heard many players actually complaining, as well. Woman players, because we have different balls than men. I know it sounds weird, but basically the thing is that they are lighter. They fly like crazy. “You know, we have really powerful games right now. … Right now we play powerful, and we kind of can’t loosen up our hands with these balls. I know that there are many players who complain, and many of them are top 10.”

So what’s the way forward for the Wilson US Open additional obligation felt ball on the Flushing Meadows main?

US Open Tournament Director and former WTA Chief Stacey Allaster advised the media in a Zoom name, the event will use regardless of the ball the WTA decides it needs.

“Right now this is a trial,” Allaster mentioned. “The WTA is polling the players. They’ve been playing with the ball in Canada and Cincinnati. We’ll expect the WTA to tell us at the end of the 2023 US Open if they’d like to continue with the Wilson Extra Duty or they prefer to go back to the regular felt balls.

“100% within the athletes’ determination. We’re blissful to do regardless of the athletes need because it pertains to the ball. So is our very long time, 45-year associate Wilson.”

Photo credit score: Rob Newell/CameraSport