New, heavier ball ‘night and day different’
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Something’s changed at the Memphis Open, and Sam Querrey noticed it right away.
“It’s night and day different than it’s been every single year,” he said. “And it’s not the court. I think it’s the ball.”
The 28-year-old American is right. This week, the Memphis Open became the first ATP stop in the United States to use the RS Black Edition tennis ball, which was engineered by retired player Robin Soderling, a two-time finalist in Memphis. Players say the ball is heavier than the Wilson ball that had been used in previous years, forcing them to slightly alter their strategy on the court.
“It’s tougher to hit a winner here,” said top seed Kei Nishikori, who will face Mikhail Kukushkin in the quarterfi- nals Friday. “It’s because of the ball, and the court’s very slow. I have to change, make some adjustments (to my game).”
Nishikori said the difference becomes especially noticeable after four or five games. Querrey said the new ball “poofs up” over time, making it less aerodynamic and slowing the pace of play.
“It just feels like a completely different tournament now than it has in the past, because of that ball,” he said. “In the past, when you play with that (Wilson) ball, the game was quicker. It really shot through the court. It just doesn’t do that at all this year.”
Querrey played with RS balls at the Stockholm Open in October, so he knew what to expect. Nishikori said the conditions at this week’s event are reminiscent of the slow pace at the Australian Open, which is also played on hard courts. It’s noth- ing new for the players — just different from what they had become accustomed to at this tournament.
“The points are lasting longer,” third-seeded American Donald Young said. “You can run down more shots. There aren’t as many free points and the balls aren’t flying through the air as fast. So it definitely changes the way you play.”
Multiple players said they prefer the Wilson balls, although Young wasn’t one to complain Thursday.
“It worked for me today,” he said with a smile after his 6-1, 7-5 victory over Marcel Granollers. “It’s what it is. You have to deal with it, and I’m enjoying it so far.”
BECKER UPSETS NO. 7 SEED MILLMAN
Unseeded German Benjamin Becker withstood a strong second-set rally from No. 7 seed John Millman on Thursday to win 6-2, 7-6 (8-6).
Becker, who is making his ninth career appearance at the Memphis Open, has never reached the final at this event. His upset of Millman ensured that only three of the eight seeded players in the men’s singles draw will play in the quarterfinal round.
MILITARY, FIRST RESPONDERS IN FREE
The Memphis Open announced Thursday that military members and first responders are eligible to receive two complimentary tickets to either of today’s sessions, which will begin at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets will be distributed to the first 500 police, fire, EMT and military personnel who claim them at the box office at the Racquet Club by showing their ID. For more information, visit MemphisOpen.com.