Daniil Medvedev has claimed that Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have an “extra advantage” at the Shanghai Masters due to the balls in use at the tournament.
Ball quality has been an ongoing issue for Medvedev throughout his Shanghai campaign, with complaints in both of his matches so far.
The Russian called the supervisor onto court in his opening match, complaining that the balls in use – made by Wilson – were “not good enough for professional tennis” during his 7-5, 7-5 victory over Thiago Seyboth Wild.
In Sunday’s 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 win over 29th seed Matteo Arnaldi, Medvedev received a warning after appearing to wipe one of the tennis balls on his backside, mimicking the use of toilet paper.
Questioning about his protestations after the match, the 28-year-old believed that the balls in use only gave Sinner and Alcaraz – the top two players in the world – an even greater chance of lifting the title.
“I think these balls mainly favour players who can be powerful on a set shot,” said Medvedev. “Some have real skills in this area of the game, others need movement.
“In fact, the two best players in this area… they are already the best players in the world… and I am sure they would be without the balls, but with these balls only Alcaraz and Sinner can generate crazy power.
“It gives them an extra advantage. I try to fight with what I can. We train a lot. I try to get that power, which I have never had since I was young because of my body type.
“There have even been muscle tests that measure power, explosiveness, and I don’t really have that explosiveness.
“I can generate a lot of power when I cross the ball, but not when I am set.”
Medvedev, the fifth seed in Shanghai, could face world No 1 Sinner in the last eight, and then potentially Alcaraz in the last four.
Top seed Sinner comfortably beat Taro Daniel in his opening match but overcame a slight scare to reach the fourth round.
The Italian found himself a set down against 31st seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry though rallied to beat the Argentine 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz is also through to the fourth round – without dropping a set.
The Spaniard began his campaign with a convincing victory over Jerry Shang before sealing an entertaining 7-6(5), 6-3 victory over Yibing Wu.
All three men are currently waiting to see who they will face in the fourth round, with several matches delayed due to poor weather.