In a surprising turn of events at the United Cup on Wednesday (January 3), World No. 1 Novak Djokovic faced a 6-4, 6-4 defeat against Australia’s Alex de Minaur. Djokovic, visibly struggling, repeatedly clutched his right wrist during the match and even took a medical timeout for the issue in the opening set.
This has sparked controversy, with Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account to question the ATP’s practice of changing balls regularly. Kyrgios expressed concern that the frequent changes in balls may have contributed to Djokovic’s wrist injury.
“Change of balls every week finally got to Novak’s wrist, the ATP really need to do something about this problem. Players suffer all the time,” Kyrgios wrote on his X handle.
Defending his stance in the comments section, Kyrgios emphasized the physical toll on tennis players’ wrists and elbows throughout a vigorous season. He asserted that the load on these joints is enormous, and the ATP should address the impact of ball changes on player health.
Change of balls every week finally got to novaks wrist 😭 the atp really need to do something about this problem. Players suffer all the time 🙏🏽
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 3, 2024
Despite his outspoken views on ball changes, Kyrgios clarified that his comments were not aimed at detracting from Alex de Minaur’s success. In a follow-up post, he praised De Minaur as a formidable player deserving of every success.
Coincidentally, Kyrgios himself has been sidelined due to a wrist injury since last year’s grasscourt season. The 28-year-old has not disclosed a return date to the ATP tour.
Djokovic’s wrist injury and Kyrgios’s comments echo concerns raised by the former World No. 1 in October last year. Djokovic had highlighted a correlation between frequent ball changes and wrist injuries, calling for a standardized ball for all ATP tournaments.
“There is certainly a connection between frequent injuries of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joint with balls and their changes. I am absolutely in favor of choosing one ball with which we will play all ATP tournaments…” Djokovic had stated.
He criticized the ATP for not addressing player complaints about ball-induced injuries, urging the organization to find a resolution. Djokovic’s sentiments are shared by several other tennis stars, including Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, Stan Wawrinka, and Ben Shelton.
As the debate intensifies, the tennis community awaits a response from the ATP regarding the concerns raised by players about the impact of frequent ball changes on their physical well-being.
Novak Djokovic in 2024
WWWWLWWLWL Currently ranked no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 3rd of January when he was overcome by world no.12 Alex De Minaur 6-4 6-4 in the quarter in Australia (draw).
This season Djokovic achieved a 2-1 record.
Djokovic is scheduled to play next at the Australian Open (Australian Open). He will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 14th of January.
Nick Kyrgios in 2024
Ranked no.470, Nick played his last match on the 13th of June 2023 when he capitulated to world no.121 Yibing Wu 7-5 6-3 in the 1st round in Stuttgart (draw).
Currently, during this year the Australian has managed to achieve a 0-1 win-loss record.
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios clashed against each other 3 times. Their actual record is 2-1 for Kyrgios. Previously, the last time they fought against each other, Novak Djokovic won 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6(3) in the final in London (Wimbledon) in July 2022.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios |
| Embed from Getty Images |
