Rafa Nadal found supporters in Roland of his misgivings about the new tournament balls, the Wilsons that this year replace the usual Babolat. The Spaniard said in the pre-tournament that the balls were “super heavy”, like “stones” and after beating Gerasimov on Monday in the first round added that it was “difficult to make them take effect.” One of the players who was more graphic in his criticism of a crucial element for the game was Dan Evans, who was eliminated against Nishikori and was able to experience the sensations well because the match went to five sets. “I wouldn't give them to a dog to chew on”said the Briton.
“I think the balls are the most important thing,” he said. “Maybe they got a little wrong with the balls. It's hard to make them go anywhere. In what month, September, October? That ball is too heavy, I think, “he concluded. Vasek Pospisil, vice president of the new players' association, the PTPA, says the Wilsons” are terrible. “
Dominic Thiem, who uses Babolat rackets and balls, his “favorites”He was not so hard on the new Wilsons, although he did regret the change. “This one is a little slower, but it's also good and gets bigger after a while.” Detractors of Nadal's theory include Daniil Medvedev, who said the Wilsons were great for him, but fell early against Fucsovics.