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Zverev Accuses Tennis Tournaments of Favoring Alcaraz and Sinner
Germany’s Alexander Zverev has accused tournament directors of intentionally slowing court surfaces worldwide to favor Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, echoing concerns raised earlier by Roger Federer.
Speaking at the Shanghai Masters, Zverev said, “I hate when it’s the same and I know that the tournament directors are going towards that direction because obviously they want Jannik and Carlos to do well every tournament, and that’s what they prefer.” He added that tennis used to have more variety, with players excelling on different surfaces, but the modern tour allows Alcaraz and Sinner to play similarly on clay, grass, and hard courts.
Federer had previously criticised the trend, saying slower courts reduce the need for players to adjust their game across surfaces. Zverev echoed this, calling for more game style diversity and variety in tennis.
While Alcaraz recently withdrew from Shanghai due to an ankle injury, Sinner advanced alongside Zverev. Responding to the allegations, Sinner stated diplomatically: “Me and Carlos, we don’t make the courts. It’s not our decision. We try to adapt ourselves in every situation and play our best tennis.”
How Court Speeds Can Be Altered
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Clay Courts: Naturally slower; adding water increases bounce time and slows rallies.
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Grass Courts: Naturally faster; slowing achieved by leaving a thicker top layer of grass.
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Hard Courts: Speed depends on friction; adding sand or increasing grip slows the bounce and allows longer rallies.
Zverev’s comments come amid a broader debate about court standardisation and whether it benefits a select few players, sparking discussions about the future direction of the sport.
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Published: Oct 05, 2025
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