OLD BALLS, PLEASE, FOR RADUCANU!

WORLD No1 Iga Swiatek criticised the

women’s balls used at the US Open, describing them as ‘horrible’ and asking why they should play with a different type from the men.

The US Open is the only major at which this continues to happen, with women using ‘regular duty’ balls and men the heavier extra-duty version. The lighter felt on regular-duty balls becomes bald quicker and, as Swiatek puts it, makes them ‘fly like crazy’. In theory, this suits players such as Emma Raducanu, who do not strike the ball as powerfully as big-hitter Swiatek.