TA's Craig Tiley says the organization has received "positive feedback" from most players.GETTY IMAGES
Tennis Australia defended the new Dunlop balls that will be used during the Australian Open "against accusations from Bernard Tomic and other players that they are cheaply made and poor quality," according to Chloe Booker of THE AGE. Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said that the organization has "received positive feedback from most players" about the Dunlop balls since signing a five-year deal last year to switch from Wilson. Tiley said that testing "showed no noticeable difference in the performance between the two ball brands." The Dunlop balls "received better feedback from Australia's top-ranked player Ashleigh Barty after her opening round win" at the Sydney Int'l yesterday. Barty: "They are not much different from the previous Wilson ball and I think they are a very fair ball" (THE AGE, 1/9).
JOINING THE TREND: The ATP Tour is the latest entity to sign with Dunlop, reaching a five-year deal with the company that will see it become the official ball of the tour and the ATP Finals beginning this year. Dunlop also will become a Silver Partner of the ATP Tour and the ATP Finals. Dunlop balls will be used at other high-profile ATP events (ATP).
