Daniil Medvedev reiterated his criticism of the tennis balls used at the Shanghai Masters after his third-round win over 29th seed Matteo Arnaldi. The 28-year-old said that the balls favored Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, as they were the only players who could generate a lot of power with them.
Medvedev previously argued with the tournament supervisor about the quality of balls during his second-round win over Thiago Seyboth Wild, claiming that they were not as per professional tennis standards.
“These balls are not good enough for professional tennis. This is one of the biggest tournaments in the world and the balls are destroyed after 5 games. No pressure at all,” the Russian said.
Daniil Medvedev took a dig at the quality of balls once again after booking his place in the fourth round of the Shanghai Masters. After beating 29th seed Matteo Arnaldi 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, the Russian signed the camera and wrote:
“Nice Balls”
After the match, Medvedev was asked if he was changing anything in order to get the best out of the ball quality. The Russian responded by saying that he did not think any player was changing before adding that the balls favored players who could generate power from when they stopped.The 28-year-old said that Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner were benefiting from the balls being used at the Masters 1000 event.
“I don’t think anyone is changing. I think it basically favors people who can benefit power from dead balls. Some have better quality with this. Some don’t. Actually the two best players at doing this.. they’re already the best players in the world.. and I’m sure they would be without the balls, but with these balls.. they’re the only players who can generate crazy power. It’s Jannik and Carlos. It gives them an extra edge,” Medvedev said.
Like Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner also reached 4R of Shanghai Masters 2024
The likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner booked their places in the fourth round of the Shanghai Masters after winning their respective third-round matches. While the Spaniard defeated Wu Yibing 7-6(5), 6-3, the Italian had to come back from a set down to beat 31st seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2.
Carlos Alcaraz will face either 16th seed Ugo Humbert or Gael Monfils in the fourth round while Jannik Sinner will take on either 14th seed Ben Shelton or Roberto Carballes Baena.As for Daniil Medvedev, he will lock horns with either 10th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or Alexandre Muller. If the Russian wins his fourth-round match, he’ll face Sinner provided the World No. 1 wins his Round of 16 fixture.If the two square off in the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters, it will be their 14th meeting, with Daniil Medvedev currently leading their head-to-head 7-6.