US EditionAlexander Zverev Says Courts Are Being Made to Aid Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Zverev claims courts are slowed to favor Alcaraz and Sinner, reducing strategic variety; Federer supports concerns about surface uniformity impacting play styles.
- During the Shanghai Masters on Saturday, October 4, 2025, Alexander Zverev accused tennis authorities of favouring Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner via court-surface choices after his opening win over Valentin Royer.
- Over more than a decade, Zverev and peers note court surface standardisation has slowed play, a trend that Roger Federer, former world No.1 and commentator, also criticised last month.
- Zverev finished his opener 6-4, 6-4 after a toe scare and holds a world No.3 ranking with a 48-20 match record in 2025.
- Players and fans have criticised Shanghai's unusually slow court pace, while Jannik Sinner denied organisers engineered courts and said he focuses on adapting to conditions.
- The debate raises questions about whether blockbuster finals are shaping tour choices, as a Shanghai title would secure ATP Finals qualification and Alcaraz's withdrawal opens a path for Alexander Zverev.
30 Articles
30 Articles
Zverev makes massive claim on Sinner, Alcaraz while criticising modern surfaces: 'They want Jannik and Carlos to…’
Speaking to reporters after beginning his Shanghai Masters campaign on a winning note, world No 3 Alexander Zverev claimed tournament organisers are tweaking surfaces in order to suit Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz's style of play.
Tennis rigged for Alcaraz and Sinner? After Federer, Zverev makes shocking allegations
Germany's Alexander Zverev has accussed tennis tournaments of making courts that favour Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Zverev's allegations come only days after Roger Federer spoke about the issue.
Jackson Progress-Argus
Alexander Zverev says courts slowed to help Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner
Germany's Alexander Zverev used his post-match remarks in Shanghai on Saturday to criticize increasingly uniform court conditions, arguing tournament decisions are tilting the sport toward Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Alexander Zverev accuses tournament directors of adapting coverings in favor of Sinner and Alcaraz. "I hate it, criticizes the number three in the world.
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