World no. 11 Alexander Bublik has once again managed to blend humor with substance. The Kazakh used his Telegram account to shine a light on an issue that has quietly frustrated players across the Tour.
As with many other players in recent months, it's about ball durability.
Bublik competed his career-best season, raising his level in the second half of 2025 and embracing his first Major quarter-final en route to a strong run that places him near the top-10.
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During off-season training, world no. 11 shared a striking image comparing two Dunlop Australian Open balls. One untouched and pristine, the other heavily fluffed after just five minutes of slice practice.
The visual contrast was impossible to miss, and it quickly caught the attention of tennis fans and those involved in ongoing ball issues. While the post carried Bublik's trademark wit, the message behind it was familiar.
Concerns about how quickly modern tennis balls lose their shape, weight and speed have become a recurring topic at almost every tournament. Many times, players are bringing completely different conclusions, which makes the debate even more striking.
For players, it's never easy to adjust to different manufacturers and playing conditions, often weekly. Many of them blame the balls for the increasing number of severe injuries.
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Excessive fluff not only alters ball trajectory but van also affect timing, physical load and injury risk. A player of Bublik's caliber relies heavily on touch, variety and feel.
Those elements are directly impacted by ball quality and durability, especially on the most common hard surface. Alexander's comparison captured in a single frame what many players experience over the course of a match or practice session.
The players are slowly getting ready for the Australian Open. Bublik's post has added fresh fuel to an ongoing ball debate that will likely require some radical measures.
The Kazakh sent a clear message, as a picture sometimes says more than a press conference or a footage.
