Balls proving to be a big problem at ATP Finals

The small furry objects that are the focus of every tennis player's energy are spinning the stars at the ATP finals into a fury and leaving them deflated.

"The balls are a big problem," said world No 2 Alexander Zverev.

Many of the top players say all the brands have deteriorated and most dislike playing with different makes of ball from one tournament to the next.

At the ATP finals in Turin, there has not been a press conference at which the subject has not popped up.

The ATP, which runs the men's tour, has had a partnership agreement with Dunlop since 2019 in a deal until 2028.

But the ATP said the Japanese manufacturer's balls are only used "by around half of the tournaments on the circuit," including four Masters 1000 events and these finals.