ATP Tour trials new tennis ball change rule at Challenger event
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 20, 2026, 9:16 AM
Last updated Jul 20, 2026
The ATP Tour will trial a significant change to tennis ball regulations next month at a Challenger event. Current rules stipulate that players begin matches with new balls, which are then changed after seven games and every nine thereafter. The upcoming trial seeks to adjust this cadence to a change after five games, followed by changes every seven games. Players like Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, and Taylor Fritz have been critical of the balls used, citing performance issues. The outcome of this trial could lead to enhanced ball quality and potentially increased ball usage at tournaments if adopted.
- •Trial set for next month at Challenger event.
- •Current rule involves changing balls after seven games.
- •Proposed change would reduce time between ball changes.
- •Medvedev and Zverev among players advocating for new rules.
- 9:16 AMYahoo Sports — A tennis ball rule change trial that could have a big impact on the ATP Tour
"Welcome back to the Monday Tennis Briefing, where The Athletic will explain the stories behind the stories from the past week on court. This week, a big change could be coming to the ATP Tour, how women’s tennis is protecting its stars, and a return to a brilliant sports city. If you’d like to follow our fantastic tennis coverage, click here. New balls for the ATP Tour, please? Throughout the past two years of top-level tennis, players on both the men’s and women’s tours have held a common enemy
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