As the 2025 French Open looms, with play set to begin on May 25 at Roland Garros, Alexander Zverev’s vocal complaints about the tournament’s new tennis balls have sparked a heated debate in the tennis world. The German star, a finalist in 2024, claimed the Dunlop balls introduced this year are too light, disrupting his game and causing physical strain. However, former Italian tennis player Paolo Bertolucci has sharply rebuffed Zverev’s concerns, pointing out that the same balls were used without issue in 2024. “They were good last year!” Bertolucci declared, challenging Zverev’s narrative and igniting a discussion about adaptation, preparation, and the pressures of elite competition on the red clay of Paris.
Zverev, ranked No. 4 and a strong contender with +900 odds to win the French Open, aired his grievances after a practice session in Monte Carlo, where he tested the new Dunlop balls. He argued they travel faster through the air, making it harder to generate spin and control shots, particularly on clay’s slower surface. “The ball is way too light compared to what we’re used to,” Zverev said, noting that the lighter balls caused his arm to “hurt like hell” during practice. He suggested the change could lead to more errors and shorter points, potentially leveling the playing field for less spin-reliant players. Zverev’s frustration was compounded by his loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 French Open final, where he led by two sets to one but fell 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. “I’m not blaming the balls for last year’s final, but this change doesn’t help players like me who rely on spin,” he added, emphasizing his heavy topspin game, which averages 3,200 RPM on his forehand.
Bertolucci, a former world No. 12 and 1978 French Open doubles champion, dismissed Zverev’s complaints as overblown, arguing that the Dunlop balls were standard in 2024 and posed no issues for players, including Zverev himself, who reached the Roland Garros final. “They were good last year! Why are they a problem now?” Bertolucci questioned, suggesting Zverev’s concerns reflect a reluctance to adapt rather than a genuine issue with the equipment. He pointed to the 2024 tournament, where Alcaraz’s victory showcased the balls’ suitability for high-level clay-court play. Bertolucci’s comments resonate with some fans on X, who noted that players like Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune have thrived with the Dunlop balls in recent clay events, with Sinner posting an 11-1 record in 2024. “Zverev’s just looking for excuses,” one user posted, echoing Bertolucci’s sentiment that top players should adjust to minor equipment changes.
The controversy comes at a pivotal moment for Zverev, who has been a consistent clay-court threat, reaching three French Open semifinals and the 2024 final. His 2025 season has been solid, with a Rome semifinal appearance and a 15-4 clay record, but early exits in Monte Carlo and Madrid have raised questions
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