Along with other players like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev, Stan Wawrinka and Taylor Fritz have criticized the frequent ball changes in every tournament, pointing to the higher risk of injury.
Zizou Bergs, a Belgian player, recently expressed worries about a potential connection between the frequent ball changes in matches and the rise of wrist problems among players on the tour.
Bergs shared his Instagram story and wrote: “I think it’s time to look carefully at the fact that many players are getting wrist injuries which could, possibly, be prevented by not changing every week of balls.”
Wawrinka shared Bergs’ post and agreed with the Belgian’s worries. Wawrinka replied to Bergs’ story and wrote: “Yep.”
Tsitsipas, Medvedev, and Sebastian Korda were among the players who complained on Twitter about injuries brought on by frequent ball changes.
Stefanos Tsitsipas offered concern over the change in balls this season in March 2023 and noted that it was a common topic of discussion among players. Tsitsipas said in an interview: “I think the biggest issue this year was the change in balls and that was an issue that has been discussed among the players. Balls need to stay the same in most tournaments, especially on hard surfaces. This benefits us all and protects players from injury.”
Similar statements were shared by Daniil Medvedev, who said that the balls used in Australia were to blame for his wrist injury.
Taylor Fritz also replied to Bergs’ tweet about ball change and replied: “Have been dealing w wrist issues since the beginning of USO series cause of ball changes. We went 3 different balls in 3 weeks.”
Have been dealing w wrist issues since beginning of USO series cause of ball changes✌🏻we went 3 different balls in 3 weeks https://t.co/018jWjFPTC
— Taylor Fritz (@Taylor_Fritz97) September 30, 2023
Stan Wawrinka in 2023
LWLWLLLLWL Now the world no.47, Stan played his last match on the 28th of September when he lost to world no.82 Marcos Giron 6-7(6) 7-6(4) 7-6(6) in the 1st round in Astana (draw).
Currently, during this season Stan owns a compiled 27-19 record. Stan Wawrinka’s most significant accomplishment of this season was reaching the final in Umag.
He is also scheduled to play in Stockholm (Stockholm Open) after Shanghai. The main draw will start on the 4th of October.
Taylor Fritz in 2023
Now the world no.8, the American played his last match on the 23rd of September when he overcame world no.6 Andrey Rublev 6-2 7-6(3) in the round robin in the Laver Cup (draw).
Until now, during this year Fritz owns an overall 50-20 match record. The American has won 3 titles in 2023 in Australia, Delray Beach and Atlanta.
He is also scheduled to play in Tokyo (Rakuten Japan Open) after Shanghai. The main draw will start on the 4th of October.
Stan Wawrinka and Taylor Fritz faced off 3 times. Their current head to head is 2-1 for Wawrinka. Before, the last time they squared off, Taylor Fritz won 7-6(10) 6-2 in the 2nd round in Monte-Carlo (Monte) on the 12th of April 2023.
In the following video you can watch the key moments of their match.
Stan Wawrinka and Taylor Fritz |
| Embed from Getty Images |
