Complaints about the balls at Roland Garros have dominated the week. Players report they either swell too quickly, resist fast moves, or slow the game to a crawl. The talk isn’t just among spectators; even those who carry the racquets are debating which brand is supplying the balls, turning the topic into a locker room debate across the circuit.
Novak Djokovic spoke after defeating Alejandro Davidovich, saying this year’s balls feel slower than those from previous years. He noted that every point demands more work, extending matches and draining energy, with many battles reaching the fifth set in the tournament’s opening days.
They feel heavy and thick, especially in sunny, warm weather when they travel farther. The idea of using a different ball in rain or on heavy courts is unsettling. Wilson, the official sponsor, is a minor advantage for players who can work with the older feel, according to Roberto Bautista. He also stressed that the current balls sometimes give an edge to players who can power through, rather than those who rely on finesse.
A Castellón native, who exited in the second round after a defeat by Juan Pablo Varillas, described the current balls as not the same as those used at home. He felt the ball’s feel in his elbow and wrist diverge from what he experienced in prior weeks, hinting that the shift benefits taller, stronger opponents who can generate power with less spin.
“The ball gets bigger and fluffier as play continues, making winners harder to come by because the pace slows dramatically”, lamented Holger Rune, a top player who echoed the shared concern about the evolving conditions. Many players sensed the issue would persist as the event unfolded.
The tournament atmosphere has been strong, but some players have found their favored shots less effective. A world-class defender who usually relies on heavy topspin found it harder to power through, feeling that the ball’s weight dampened his usual options on pace and spin.
Brand changes trace back to 2020, when Roland Garros switched from years with the Babolat brand to a new relationship. Wilson is set to become the official supplier by 2025. The edition held in October amid pandemic restrictions already hinted at a similar behavior—cool, damp days followed by erratic ball performance that players hoped would not repeat, yet here it resurfaced in stronger form.
In those earlier moments, a British player even quipped about the supply of balls during the Bois de Boulogne era, underscoring a long-standing frustration. It’s clear that the issue did not disappear with time and has intensified this year, prompting renewed conversations about the ball’s role in shaping match outcomes.
With sun and mild temperatures as the backdrop, balls still degrade quickly, affecting much of the schedule. The result is a playing field that rewards flat, direct hitting while making heavy topspin play more strenuous on the joints. Players who typically rely on quick movement and consistent pace find the environment particularly challenging, whereas those with a hard, direct strike experience fewer adjustments in some points but face trouble with the ball’s erratic behavior in others.
Carlos Alcaraz has offered a pragmatic view. He described the balls as somewhat heavy and slower but insists he is adapting his game. He highlighted a broader concern: the inconsistency of ball performance across different tournaments. A top player, who survived a recent test against a Canadian rival, admitted that uniform ball performance would streamline adaptation, though he remains focused on adjusting his strategy to each event.
Overall, the conversation around the balls underscores a larger question about how equipment can influence high-stakes competition. While some players feel empowered by early success on a given surface, others worry that inconsistent equipment can blur the line between skill and circumstance. The sport remains resilient, with athletes adjusting tactics and coaches analyzing the long-term impact on training, recovery, and strategy as the tournament advances.
As the matches unfold, fans and analysts should watch not only shot selection and stamina but also how equipment choices shape the rhythm of play. The ongoing debate is less about blame and more about ensuring a fair, competitive environment where talent, preparation, and adaptability determine results. In the end, the sport benefits when discussions stay focused on improving consistency and clarity for players at all levels.
– End of covered discussion on Roland Garros ball performance and its impact on play.