Daniil Medvedev is unhappy despite making progress in Shanghai.
Daniil Medvedev has accused organisers of the Shanghai Masters of bias towards players with “crazy power” like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The Russian is through to the last-16 in China after his battling three-set win over Matteo Arnaldi, but appeared anything but happy both during and after the clash.
The fifth seed lost the first set before holding his nerve to eventually come through 5-7 6-4 6-4, but then delivered a pointed message as he left the court.
Using a marker pen, Medvedev wrote “nice balls” on a television camera before smiling and laughing.
The issue of the tennis balls has been apparent in Shanghai, with players complaining that the ones being used during the event were too slow. And former world No.1 Medvedev has now argued that he’s been left at a disadvantage compared to Sinner and Alcaraz.
“I think it it basically favours people who can benefit power from dead balls,” he said. “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
Daniil Medvedev, despite advancing in the Shanghai Masters, expressed dissatisfaction with tournament conditions, notably criticizing the event’s organizers for favoring players with “crazy power” like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. After a hard-fought three-set victory over Matteo Arnaldi, the Russian star’s frustration was clear, not just during the match but also in his post-match actions and comments.
Medvedev’s progression to the last-16 in Shanghai came after a tough battle. He lost the first set but rallied to win 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. Yet, instead of reveling in his hard-earned victory, his emotions seemed more rooted in discontent. The fifth seed was visibly annoyed throughout the match, and this carried over afterward. As he walked off the court, he made a sarcastic gesture by writing “nice balls” on a television camera lens. This small, seemingly playful action belied the seriousness of his underlying grievance.
Medvedev’s complaint centers around the tennis balls being used in the tournament. According to him, the balls are too slow and thus favor players with greater power, specifically those like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, two rising stars of the ATP tour known for their aggressive play.
He elaborated on this in his post-match interview, explaining that the slow nature of the balls puts players like himself at a disadvantage: “I think it basically favors people who can benefit from dead balls. Some have better quality with this. Some don’t.” He singled out Sinner and Alcaraz as players who can effectively adjust to the conditions. Medvedev added, “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.”
His implication here was clear: while Sinner and Alcaraz are incredibly talented and capable of succeeding under any conditions, the specific balls used in Shanghai magnify their advantage. Medvedev seemed to be implying that this choice of equipment creates an uneven playing field, one that limits his own strengths while amplifying those of his rivals.
Medvedev’s concerns about the tennis balls aren’t new. Tennis tournaments have often faced scrutiny over equipment and surface choices that impact player performance. The type of balls used can dramatically change the pace and feel of a match, with slower balls tending to favor baseline players who can generate significant power, while faster balls are generally more beneficial to those with finesse or serve-and-volley styles.
By accusing the organizers of bias, Medvedev has raised an issue that extends beyond just his own play. If true, it points to a larger problem of fairness and transparency in tournament conditions. The fact that Medvedev chose to write “nice balls” in such a public manner indicates that he feels strongly about the issue and wants to bring attention to it.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz represent the new generation of tennis talent, both having made significant strides in the ATP rankings in recent years. Their games are built on power, with both players known for their ability to hit hard from the baseline and dictate points with heavy groundstrokes. Medvedev’s assertion that the balls favor these types of players suggests that he believes their style of play is already dominant, and that the choice of slower balls only exacerbates their advantage.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Medvedev has had issues with playing conditions. He has a history of being vocal about his frustrations when external factors like the court surface or equipment interfere with his game. In this case, his concerns seem less about his own performance and more about the competitive balance of the tournament.
Medvedev’s frustrations in Shanghai are perhaps emblematic of a challenging year for him. While still ranked among the top players in the world, he has faced stiff competition from the likes of Sinner, Alcaraz, and of course Novak Djokovic. Medvedev’s game is built around his incredible defensive skills and ability to outlast opponents, but against the power-hitters of the tour, he’s had to adapt. His comments suggest that he feels the conditions in Shanghai have made it harder for him to play his best tennis.
Despite his frustrations, Medvedev remains one of the most consistent performers on tour. His victory over Arnaldi showed his resilience and ability to grind out wins even when conditions aren’t in his favor. Still, his comments about the tennis balls and his sarcastic on-court message reveal a player who feels the odds are stacked against him in certain tournaments.
So far, there has been no official response from the Shanghai Masters organizers regarding Medvedev’s comments. It remains to be seen whether they will address the issue of the balls or simply let the tournament play out. In the world of professional tennis, player complaints about equipment and conditions are not uncommon, but it’s rare for them to lead to any significant changes during the course of a tournament.
However, given Medvedev’s status in the game, his comments may prompt further discussion among players and tournament officials. If other players share his concerns, there could be broader calls for more consistency in ball selection across tournaments to ensure a level playing field.
Medvedev’s progress in Shanghai continues, and despite his frustrations, he remains one of the favorites to go deep into the tournament. His next match will be closely watched, not just for the tennis itself but also for any further comments or actions he might make regarding the playing conditions.
For now, though, the Russian star has made his point clear: in his view, the Shanghai Masters is catering to power players, and he’s not happy about it. Whether this is a temporary issue or a sign of deeper concerns in the sport will become clearer as the tournament progresses.
Daniil Medvedev’s win in Shanghai should have been a cause for celebration, but instead, it has shone a spotlight on a potential issue with tournament conditions. His pointed message about the tennis balls reflects a broader frustration, not just with this event but with the challenges he faces against the new generation of power-hitters. As the tournament unfolds, it will be interesting to see if his complaints resonate with other players or lead to any changes in how tennis events are organized.