Top Players Slam 'Terrible' Tennis Balls at Rotterdam Tournament

Daniil Medvedev, Alex de Minaur, and Arthur Fils criticize heavy, inconsistent balls that impact gameplay and player health

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Top ATP players including Daniil Medvedev, Alex de Minaur, and Arthur Fils have strongly criticized the tennis balls used at the Rotterdam tournament, describing them as heavy and inconsistent. The players say the poor-quality balls have significantly altered match conditions, making the game more physically demanding and shifting it away from a skillful tactical contest. The ATP and tournament organizers now face pressure to address equipment standards and protect player wellbeing.

Why it matters

The complaints from high-profile players about the Rotterdam balls highlight ongoing concerns about equipment quality and consistency on the ATP tour. Substandard balls can not only impact the competitive nature of matches, but also pose serious health risks to players by increasing physical strain. The ATP faces growing calls to enforce stricter standards to safeguard the sport's integrity.

The details

Medvedev, de Minaur, and Fils have all spoken out about the problems with the balls at Rotterdam, which they say are unusually heavy and degrade quickly during matches. This causes shots that would normally win points to feel like 'hitting through obstacles' and turns the game into more of an endurance battle than a display of skill. The altered ball characteristics also increase physical demands on players' bodies, potentially leading to injuries.

  • Medvedev first raised concerns about the ball quality during his opening round match against Ugo Humbert at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam.
  • Similar complaints about ball issues have been expressed by players at recent ATP tournaments in Indian Wells and Madrid.

The players

Daniil Medvedev

A top-ranked Russian tennis player known for his outspoken nature on court.

Alex de Minaur

An Australian professional tennis player who rarely voices public complaints but has joined the criticism of the Rotterdam balls.

Arthur Fils

A young French tennis player who has also spoken out against the poor quality of the balls used at the Rotterdam tournament.

Ugo Humbert

A French professional tennis player who faced Medvedev in a match at the Rotterdam tournament.

Roger Federer

A legendary Swiss tennis player who has won the Rotterdam tournament in the past.

Andy Murray

A former world No. 1 British tennis player who has also won the Rotterdam tournament.

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What they’re saying

“I have struggled a lot in practice. I have actually been quite frustrated with the balls in practice, which is not like me. I do get what Daniil says about the balls.”

— Alex de Minaur, Professional Tennis Player

“They are terrible. Really terrible. The ball is very bad. It is unbelievable. I don't know who is in charge of it, maybe ATP or whatever, but they have to do better, because it is not normal to play with these balls at our level.”

— Alex de Minaur, Professional Tennis Player

What’s next

The ATP and Rotterdam tournament organizers are expected to hold confidential discussions about raising and enforcing stricter equipment standards for future events. An immediate switch to different ball suppliers mid-tournament seems unlikely.

The takeaway

This controversy over the tennis balls at Rotterdam highlights the ongoing challenges the ATP faces in maintaining consistent, high-quality equipment across its tournaments. Addressing these issues is crucial not only for preserving the competitive integrity of the sport, but also for protecting the health and wellbeing of the players.