Former US Open finalist makes tennis ball plea amid little-known differences

Former British no.1 Greg Rusedski has called upon the US Open to use the same balls for both the men’s and women’s events.

Whilst they look incredibly similar, if not the exact same, the balls are actually different in terms of their weight.

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Men’s singles players use black US Open balls, which are described as heavy-duty, whilst the women use the lighter red ones.

They are differentiated by their markings, with ‘US Open 2026’ being written in either black or red depending on the players.

Fans watching at Flushing Meadows or from home will be unable to identify the differences between the two, unlike the professionals.

And Rusedski, who reached the 1997 US Open men’s singles final 1997, picked the ball he thinks should be universally used.

“The women’s ball is a much better tennis ball,” he confirmed on his Off Court podcast.

“It’s quicker, it’s faster through the air, it doesn’t fluff up, it keeps its shape. So, let’s just play the men and the women with the same ball.

“That’s a proper, fast, speedy ball, so people can hit through the court, people can serve and volley, come forward, mix it up.

“If I had a choice between the men’s and the women’s ball, I’d take the women’s all day long. It’s a little bit more reminiscent of what I was playing (with) during my generation.”

Who are the balls made by?

Wilson have manufactured the balls that are used at the US Open since 1978.

Although they have their black or red markings, the balls are still coloured with the typical shade known as optic yellow.

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They are easy to spot during matches at the US Open as the courts are painted blue.

The courts used to be green until a visual change was made in 2005, which is when Roger Federer won the second of his five titles.

Who is through at the US Open?

Now in the second week of the main draw, the men’s and women’s quarter-finals are beginning to take shape.

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz will face Ben Shelton, a home favourite, whilst Frances Tiafoe takes on fellow US star Alex Michelsen.

Meanwhile, holder Aryna Sabalenka meets Linda Noskova, as Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro contest an all-American clash.

This year’s US Open women’s singles final will be played on Saturday, and the men’s final follows a day later.