YONEX to Provide Official Tennis Balls for Major ATP Events in Asia

The Official Ball Announcement for the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis

On May 22, 2025, a significant event celebrating the selection of YONEX's "Tour Platinum" tennis balls as the official tournament ball for the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis and two other major ATP events in Asia was held. This announcement reinforces YONEX's stance in the professional tennis world, especially in the Asian circuit.

The ATP Tour, which governs the men’s professional tennis circuit, has been on a mission to provide more consistent playing conditions for athletes. The decision to standardize tennis balls across major tournaments in Asia is a step towards achieving this goal. The three key tournaments involved are:

- Rolex Shanghai Masters (ATP M1000, China)
- Kinoshita Group Japan Open (ATP500, Japan)
- Chengdu Open (ATP250, China)

Standardization of Tennis Balls

The ATP has initiated a process that focuses on offering uniformity in playing conditions, which includes tennis ball specifications. Following a thorough bidding process, YONEX emerged as the preferred supplier, securing its contract to provide balls from 2025 through 2028.

Former professional tennis player Ryuzo Tsujino expressed that having different balls for each tournament places unnecessary physical strain on players, particularly affecting their elbows, wrists, and shoulders. According to him, unifying the balls will not only stabilize athletes' performances but also help in injury prevention.

Shige Fusa Kanroji, the tournament director, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that standardizing the balls caters directly to the players' requests for uniformity. This change aims to not only foster an environment conducive to peak performance but also enhance the overall quality of matches for spectators.

Excitement for the Upcoming Japan Open

Looking ahead to this year's Kinoshita Group Japan Open, Kanroji hinted at several reasons for excitement, including the first appearance of Carlos Alcaraz from Spain, a highly anticipated event for Japanese tennis fans.

Efforts are currently underway to invite numerous players, with announcements expected to come soon. Tsujino shared his hope that the event would attract fans even those who typically do not watch tennis, encouraging them to enjoy both the matches and the vibrant atmosphere of the tournament.