Alexander Zverev Joins Federer in Criticizing Tennis Court Standardization, Claims It Favors Alcaraz and Sinner
Tennis star Alexander Zverev has reignited a debate about court surfaces, echoing concerns previously raised by Roger Federer. The world number three has accused tournament authorities of intentionally standardizing and slowing down courts to favor the playing styles of top-ranked rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Following his match at the Shanghai Masters, Zverev expressed his frustration, stating, “I hate when it’s the same.” He suggested that tournament directors are moving in this direction because “obviously they want Jannik and Carlos to do well at every tournament.”
The criticism centers on the loss of variety in the game. Zverev reflected on how players once had to adapt their style completely depending on whether they were on grass, clay, or hard courts. “Nowadays, you can play almost the same way on every surface,” he remarked. “I think tennis needs game styles… a little bit of variety, and I think we’re lacking that right now.”
In response, Jannik Sinner clarified that the young stars have no influence over court conditions. “Me and Carlos, we don’t make the courts, it’s not our decision,” Sinner said. “We try to adapt ourselves in every situation.” He added that he believes he has played great tennis on faster surfaces as well.
The discussion gained significant traction after Federer recently voiced similar opinions, emphasizing the need for diverse court speeds to maintain a high level of competition and spectacle in the sport.
