n the midst of the 2024 Paris Masters, Carlos Alcaraz didn’t hold back on his thoughts about the tournament’s ultra-fast court conditions, calling for a slowdown to enhance fan enjoyment. Following his victory over Nicolas Jarry in the second round, the four-time Grand Slam winner voiced his preference for a slightly slower court speed, arguing it would lead to “more rallies, more tennis to watch,” creating a better spectacle for spectators.
“It’s really fast for me,” Alcaraz remarked. “Some players may prefer this, but I think it should be a little bit slower. It would make the tournament more exciting for fans.”
Alcaraz’s comments tap into a broader issue on the ATP and WTA tours: inconsistency in the balls, court conditions, and overall playing environment across tournaments. Top players, including Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, and Daniil Medvedev, have voiced similar concerns this season. The variability, Alcaraz argued, disrupts consistency for players and spectators alike.
“Every week, it’s different conditions, different courts, different balls. We’re expected to adapt, but at some point, this should improve,” Alcaraz said, hinting that tennis chiefs should consider standardizing conditions across the tour.
Alcaraz’s fellow ATP pro Casper Ruud, however, has been vocal in opposition, dismissing ball complaints as “drama.” On the Nothing Major podcast, Ruud downplayed the significance of the ball issue, expressing frustration with players who raise complaints deep into tournaments. “Come on, just play,” Ruud remarked. “Players string 28 rackets to get the right tension, then make drama about the balls in the fourth round.”
Tennis analysts have suggested the court at Paris-Bercy is among the fastest this season, even quicker than Cincinnati, which has also come under scrutiny for similar conditions. For Alcaraz, this pace requires extra hours of practice and adjustments, something he feels compromises the appeal of the game’s natural rhythm.
“Faster than Cincinnati? (laughs),” Alcaraz commented. “This court is very slippery… For the fans, not having many exchanges is challenging. I’d have made it a bit slower to add excitement.”
As the 2024 season nears its end, players are pushing for reforms to streamline conditions across tournaments. While some, like Alcaraz, emphasize consistency, others argue players should adapt. One thing’s certain: the debate isn’t over, and fans will be watching to see if tennis leadership takes action.
