Three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud has hit out at ATP players for causing "drama over nothing" about the different tennis balls used throughout the year.
Stars such as Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Iga Świątek and Emma Raducanu have all criticised the inconsistency on tour in the past.
The biggest advocate for change is 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, who requested the tournament supervisor at the Shanghai Masters earlier this month.
"These balls are not good enough for professional tennis," he said. "This is one of the biggest tournaments in the world and the balls are destroyed after five games. No pressure at all."
After the match, the world No.5 explained that Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have an edge, saying: "The two best players at doing this [generating power], they’re already the best players in the world, and I’m sure they would be without the balls, but with these balls, they’re the only players who can generate crazy power. It's Jannik and Carlos."
Co-founder of the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA), Djokovic has also supported calls to play with the same balls for the whole calendar year when possible.
"There is certainly a connection between frequent injuries of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder with ball changes. I am absolutely in favour of choosing one ball with which we will play all ATP tournaments," the Serbian told Sportal.
Ruud, one of the most outspoken competitors on tour, was honest in his assessment of the issue.
"You see players complain about the balls all the time," Ruud told the Nothing Major podcast. "I’m getting so tired of it. Come on. Just play.
"For me, what’s funny is some players come like five days in advance to practice. 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? What’s the point? Just to make drama out of nothing."
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