"I don't know where Alexander Zverev did the research": Daniil Medvedev weighs in on German's claims of 'cost-cutting' causing slower balls & injuries

Daniil Medvedev recently addressed Alexander Zverev's claims that cost-cutting in tennis ball manufacturing resulted in slower balls and increased player injuries. Both Medvedev and Zverev are currently competing at the 2024 ATP Finals in Turin, Italy.

Medvedev, who previously won the season-ending tournament in 2020, has been placed in the Ilie Nastase Group this year alongside Jannik Sinner, Alex de Minaur, and Taylor Fritz.

The Russian started his campaign with a loss to Fritz 4-6, 3-6 in the first group stage match but then bounced back to defeat De Minaur 6-2, 6-4 in the second group stage match.

During the post-match press conference, Daniil Medvedev shared his thoughts 'on Alexander Zverev's comments about tennis ball manufacturers cutting costs and using different materials, leading to more elbow and wrist injuries among players.

The Russian expressed uncertainty about the source of Zverev's research on tennis ball manufacturing cost-cutting. However, he acknowledged that he and several other players are dissatisfied with the new tennis balls they are provided with.

“I don't know where Sascha [Alexander Zverev] did the research. I didn't do it and I don't know how to do it. I heard about this. Some players like me that are not satisfied with the balls, they're saying it's exactly after COVID that it changed. I had to change strings for softer ones so my ball goes faster through the air because I basically couldn't hit a winner anymore. It worked well," Medvedev said .

The former World No.1 noted that players like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Alexander Zverev can still play aggressively with the current tennis balls.

“For guys like [Carlos] Alcaraz, [Jannik] Sinner, finally Sascha manages it well, even if I in a way would be maybe a bit surprised because he kind of has my height, et cetera. But he manages it well . They can attack the dead ball so it doesn't loose pace through the bounce and in the air," he added.

Daniil Medvedev mentioned that the recent tennis balls lose their bounce quickly, giving his opponents an advantage in hitting winners against him.

“Me, it's about, when I was returning from five meters away before, I really didn't care if someone did serve and volley. I was just hitting winners. But the ball dies in the air. At the end the ball literally stops so the guy has time to attack me. That's what I feel," Daniil Medvedev said.

Daniil Medvedev on how changes in the ball is affecting his game: “My force just got struck, it's tough feeling"

Daniil Medvedev at a press conference [Source: Getty]

In the aforementioned press conference, Daniil Medvedev expressed that the changes in the ball is affecting his game. He mentioned that these alterations have allowed his opponents to prolong rallies against him, which has posed a challenge to him

The former World No.1 stated that his ability to excel in longer rallies has been a key strength in his game . However, with the new ball dynamics, he has noticed that other players are now able to play longer rallies like him.

“Literally everyone can stay in the rally now. That was my force before. I was able to stay in the rally longer than many of my opponents. But now everyone can do it. No matter how tall you are, how bad movement you are, how unforced errors you can make, now everyone can do it," Medvedev said.

Medvedev admitted that these changes has been "tough" for him.

“My force just got struck. It's tough feeling. I manage it how I can. I'm No. 4 in the world. I'm playing good . It's a little bit of a disadvantage for me," he added .

Daniil Medvedev will go up against Jannik Sinner in the third group stage match at the 2024 ATP Finals. The two players have faced each other 14 times on the ATP tour, with both securing seven victories each

Their most recent competitive encounter took place in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Shanghai Masters, where the World No.1 emerged victorious with a score of 6-1, 6-4. They also met in the Six Kings Slam, an exhibition event in Riyadh, with Sinner winning there as well.

If Medvedev beats the Italian, he has a chance of reaching the semifinals of the ATP Finals for the fourth time in his career.