Alexander Zverev has publicly criticized tournament organizers for what he perceives as favoritism towards the world’s top two players, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Following his victory against Valentin Royer at the Shanghai Masters, Zverev expressed concerns about the slowing down of court surfaces, suggesting that these changes are intentionally made to benefit Alcaraz and Sinner.
The world No. 3, who won the match 6-4, 6-4, overcame a toe injury that required on-court treatment. In a candid on-court interview, Zverev stated, “I hate when it’s the same, to be honest. I think 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 emphasized the need for variety in tennis, stating, “I think tennis needs different game styles, tennis needs a little bit of variety and I think we’re lacking that right now.”
Zverev’s comments come as the Shanghai Masters has seen significant changes in court speed. Reports indicate a notable decrease in the court pace index (CPI) from the previous years’ averages of 40-41 to just 32.9 in 2025, marking a shift that players like Zverev believe alters competitive fairness.
Concerns from Other Tennis Stars
This sentiment is not new within the tennis community. In a September appearance on the podcast “Served With Andy Roddick,” Roger Federer echoed similar concerns. The 20-time Grand Slam champion mentioned the need for diverse playing conditions, suggesting the tournament directors have standardized the game too much with consistent court and ball speeds. “We need to have not only fast courts, but what we would want to see is Alcaraz or Sinner figure it out on lightning-fast courts and then have the same match on super slow courts,” he said.
Other players have also weighed in on the issue. Nick Kyrgios has previously advocated for more variety in court surfaces, stating, “I’d like to see more variety. It’s good to play on [fast] courts like these, where aggressive tennis gets rewarded a little bit more.” Such remarks highlight a growing concern among players regarding the uniformity of court conditions across tournaments.
In the lead-up to the 2024 US Open, tournament director Stacey Allaster clarified the approach to court speed at Flushing Meadows. She noted, “We aim for the court pace rating to be medium fast,” with a CPI target of 42, allowing for a gradual increase in speed as the tournament progresses.
Impact on Players and Upcoming Matches
The implications of these court adjustments are significant for players’ strategies and performance. As Zverev continues to recover from his injury, he remains cautious about his health for the remainder of the season. “I landed funny on my toe and after that I could barely do a step, so we’ll see what it is,” he said, expressing uncertainty about his long-term fitness.
In other matches at the Shanghai Masters, Cameron Norrie edged out Arthur Cazaux with a score of 6-3, 0-6, 7-6 (7-5) to advance to the third round. Meanwhile, world No. 7 Alex de Minaur defeated Argentine Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-4, 6-2 in a match lasting 88 minutes. In contrast, Stefanos Tsitsipas withdrew from his scheduled match due to a leg injury.
The ongoing discussions about court speeds and player performance highlight an essential aspect of the sport’s evolution. As the tournaments continue, the balance between player preference and consistent playing conditions will likely remain a topic of debate among athletes and officials alike.
