The ATP will experiment with more frequent tennis ball changes during the Lexington Challenger tournament, which begins August 3.
The trial will alter the standard schedule by introducing the first ball change after five games in singles matches, followed by changes every seven games instead of nine. The Player Advisory Council has supported the adjustment in response to feedback about rapid ball wear on hard courts.
Players have raised concerns that degraded balls increase the risk of arm injuries and slow down play. Daniil Medvedev has been among the most vocal critics, noting in 2023 that balls become oversized and uncontrollable late in games.
The experiment is limited to the Challenger event to assess effectiveness before any potential wider adoption on the ATP Tour.