The 2026 ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam delivered yet another layer of intrigue on February 10, when top seed **Alex de Minaur** faced off against French rising star **Arthur Fils** in the round of 32. What was expected to be a straightforward win for the world No. 8 Australian turned into a tense, competitive battle that ended with de Minaur prevailing 7-6(3), 6-2 in one hour and 42 minutes. But the real fireworks came afterward, when Fils—still stinging from the loss—exploded in frustration, refusing to accept defeat quietly and lodging a formal protest to the chair umpire.
“IT’S SO UNFAIR!” Fils shouted, his voice echoing across the Ahoy Arena as he gestured emphatically toward the match balls scattered on the court. The 21-year-old Frenchman, returning from a long-term back injury that had sidelined him for eight months, claimed he had been given inferior match balls compared to his opponent. He argued that the Head Tour XT balls used in the match were inconsistent—some felt heavier, slower, or even slightly misshapen after just a few games—putting him at a disadvantage while de Minaur seemingly adapted better. The accusation rippled through the arena, turning post-match tension into open controversy.
Cameras swarmed the court as tempers flared, with Fils demanding an explanation from the umpire and tournament officials about ball selection and quality control.
The complaint wasn’t isolated. It echoed a growing chorus of dissatisfaction that had been building throughout the week. Earlier, world No. 3 Daniil Medvedev had publicly lambasted the same Head Tour XT balls during his match against Ugo Humbert, calling them “horrible,” “not round,” and insisting tournaments should stop buying or promoting them. Medvedev’s mid-match outburst had already sparked debate about ATP standards for equipment at high-level events. Now, with Fils joining the fray right after losing to de Minaur, the issue exploded into a full-blown talking point.
De Minaur, however, didn’t raise his voice or engage in the heated exchange. Known for his composure under pressure—often earning him praise as one of the most mentally tough players on tour—he simply leaned toward the on-court microphone during his post-match interview. With the arena still buzzing from Fils’ protest, he delivered five calm, razor-sharp words that cut through the noise like a precision backhand: “We all play with the same balls.”
The room fell silent. Fils, standing nearby as he waited for his own interview, froze in bitter disbelief. The narrative flipped in an instant—from accusations of unfairness to a reminder of shared conditions. De Minaur didn’t deny the balls were subpar; in fact, he later admitted in interviews that he’d been “quite frustrated” with them during practice sessions, echoing Medvedev’s frustrations. “They are definitely not my favourite,” he said. “I don’t think they are anyone’s favourite balls. They are very difficult to control…
It is tough to explain it, but it is a very dead ball.” Yet his point was clear: every player on court faces the same equipment. Complaining about it mid-tournament or post-loss doesn’t change the reality—adaptation is part of professional tennis.
Fils, for his part, was more direct and unfiltered. Speaking to Bolavip afterward, he didn’t hold back: “They are terrible. Really terrible. The ball is very bad. It is unbelievable.
When we are playing at this level, literally playing professionally, very good players, then watching the balls after two games getting bigger and very slow, that is not normal.” He went further, calling on the ATP to take responsibility: “I don’t know who is in charge of it, maybe ATP or whatever, but they have to do better, because it is not normal to play with these balls at our level.”
The controversy highlighted a recurring issue in indoor hard-court events like Rotterdam: ball durability and consistency. Head Tour XT balls, chosen for their speed and control on fast surfaces, have drawn criticism in recent years for becoming “fluffy” or losing bounce too quickly under heavy hitting. Players like Medvedev, Fils, and de Minaur—all aggressive baseliners—rely on predictable ball behavior to execute their games. When balls slow down or change shape, it disrupts rhythm, especially in longer rallies.
De Minaur’s measured response stood in stark contrast to Fils’ outburst. The Australian, who has reached the Rotterdam final in each of the past two years (falling to Jannik Sinner in 2024 and Carlos Alcaraz in 2025), used the moment to underscore professionalism. His words weren’t an attack on Fils but a subtle redirection: focus on what you can control. In the heat of competition, where margins are razor-thin, mental resilience often decides outcomes more than equipment quirks.
The incident also spotlighted the broader pressures on young talents like Fils. Returning from injury, he showed flashes of his explosive forehand and power in the first set, pushing de Minaur to a tiebreak. But as the match wore on, frustration mounted—perhaps amplified by the balls, the crowd (heavily pro-de Minaur), or the weight of expectations. His protest, while dramatic, reflected a player still finding his footing at the elite level.
Tournament organizers have yet to issue an official response on the ball complaints, but the ATP has faced similar backlash before. Past events have switched suppliers or adjusted ball types after player feedback. For now, the issue simmers as the tournament continues, with de Minaur advancing to face Stan Wawrinka in the round of 16.
In the end, what began as a routine second-round match became a microcosm of tennis’s ongoing battles: equipment standards, mental fortitude, and the fine line between passion and professionalism. De Minaur’s five words didn’t just silence the room—they reminded everyone that in a sport defined by precision and adaptability, excuses rarely win points. As the ABN AMRO Open marches on, the ball controversy may fade, but the lesson lingers: play the hand you’re dealt, even if the balls feel unfair.
