Talk About Tennis 2.0

Taylor Fritz on the balls being used in Toronto: "It's very difficult to produce good tennis here. I have the impression that we're seeing a lot of poor tennis, with matches full of forehand errors and double faults... The first has to do with the balls, which are the most difficult to control."

HardTacoKit
2h ago “Choke” = downvote
They are using Wilson US Open balls. Not Like they are using Costco Penn balls.

Dependent-Effect6077
OP
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3h ago
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Edited 3h ago
The most notable thing about this is that it's a carryover of the ball conditions at the USO last year

First serve% plunged to 57% and DF rate was above 5% for the entire men's draw which would both be some of the absolute worst numbers on the entire tour and by far the worst for any Slam in recent memory

So if this is a sign for what the conditions will be for the whole NA swing then don't be surprised when a player can't find their serve because it seems like most are going to have a tough time lol

But then, if you use a heavier ball for more control, they complain that they are too hard on the arm.
There's got to be a balance.

does this variation in balls happen in any other sport, I wonder? In cricket they use different balls for different formats, but the balls used are the same across the world for a given format - tightly monitored by the ICC.. but of course, there are only, at most 8-10 balls used in a match.. .. football? basketball? baseball? golf?

ashkor87 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 5:28 am does this variation in balls happen in any other sport, I wonder? In cricket they use different balls for different formats, but the balls used are the same across the world for a given format - tightly monitored by the ICC.. but of course, there are only, at most 8-10 balls used in a match.. .. football? basketball? baseball? golf?

In team sports the ball is standardized, but there are variations, and different events can have different balls. For example, the World Cup can have a special ball made just for that event. In golf the players use the golf ball that they are comfortable with, and usually the various manufacturers will supply the player with whichever ball they are using - like tennis players using the racquet of their choice.

The ITF accepts three types of tennis balls (easy web search). They are FAST, MEDIUM and SLOW, and are used according to the surfaces.
We all know sizes, weights and bounces are within certain specs. But they are different. For example, Wilson's always played faster than PENN/HEAD (to me), while SLAZENGER/DUNLOP were basically stones wrapped in felt.
To me, that was one of the things that made the sport interesting. A bit of change here and there, and in tennis, it was the combo of the court and the balls. So, I say, this is Ok. I would actually vary the combinations a bit more, to let different styles of play have a chance here and there.
Having all courts and balls being the same would be a bit "boring".
Hey, it's like F1. Every week, a new layout.
(But then, every week the same team wins. So, there is something screwy with my logic).

We are always talking about mental strength, mental fortitude. How tough Rafa was, how so many players say that if they had to pick a player to play a match for their life, they would pick him.
We never say anything about Demiñaur.
The guy is borderline Borg-esque. Fighting every point, never losing focus, concentrated at every stage of the match. Makes a winner? Quick fist pump, back to work. Makes an error? Quick shake of the head, back to business. Head down, back to work.
He should get a bit more credit.

Fun Fact: We now have an outdoor feral cat named Rublev. He's a very moody sort (the cat). Seemed appropriate.

Monday 04 August, 2025 (Day 10)

Centre Court
Starts At 4:30 PM

A. Fils/B. Shelton Vs (4) K. Krawietz/T. Puetz
Not Before 7:00 PM
A. Zverev (1) Vs (18) A. Popyrin
Followed By
A. Michelsen (26) Vs (11) K. Khachanov

Motorola razr Grandstand Court
Starts At 4:30 PM

G. Andreozzi/S. Arends Vs (2) J. Cash/L. Glasspool
Followed By
M. Arevalo/M. Pavic (1) Vs A. Krajicek/H. Zeballos or J. Salisbury/N. Skupski
Followed By
H. Heliovaara/H. Patten or F. Romboli/J. Smith Vs A. Goransson/S. Verbeek or M. Gonzalez/A. Molteni

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 5:56 pm We are always talking about mental strength, mental fortitude. How tough Rafa was, how so many players say that if they had to pick a player to play a match for their life, they would pick him.
We never say anything about Demiñaur.
The guy is borderline Borg-esque. Fighting every point, never losing focus, concentrated at every stage of the match. Makes a winner? Quick fist pump, back to work. Makes an error? Quick shake of the head, back to business. Head down, back to work.
He should get a bit more credit.

Is that the proper way to spell his name?

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 10:29 pm

I'm pretty sure Ben was explaining Bernie Tomic to Arthur...

dryrunguy wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 11:26 pm

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 10:29 pm

I'm pretty sure Ben was explaining Bernie Tomic to Arthur...

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 10:18 pm

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 5:56 pm We are always talking about mental strength, mental fortitude. How tough Rafa was, how so many players say that if they had to pick a player to play a match for their life, they would pick him.
We never say anything about Demiñaur.
The guy is borderline Borg-esque. Fighting every point, never losing focus, concentrated at every stage of the match. Makes a winner? Quick fist pump, back to work. Makes an error? Quick shake of the head, back to business. Head down, back to work.
He should get a bit more credit.

Is that the proper way to spell his name?

It's with an Ñ

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 11:39 pm

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 10:18 pm

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 5:56 pm We are always talking about mental strength, mental fortitude. How tough Rafa was, how so many players say that if they had to pick a player to play a match for their life, they would pick him.
We never say anything about Demiñaur.
The guy is borderline Borg-esque. Fighting every point, never losing focus, concentrated at every stage of the match. Makes a winner? Quick fist pump, back to work. Makes an error? Quick shake of the head, back to business. Head down, back to work.
He should get a bit more credit.

Is that the proper way to spell his name?

It's with an Ñ

Please don't misunderstand me. I asked because I've never seen his surname as one word. It's always been de Minaur. I did recently find out he is a Spaniard and chose to play for Australia so I was asking if Demiñaur is how his name should always have ben written.