Alexander Zverev says that tournament organizers are slowing tennis courts to favor Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Zverev, De Wereld No. 3, conquered an injury scared to beat Valentin Royer 6-4, 6-4 in the Shanghai Masters on Saturday, but then expressed his displeasure about the way he felt that the sport was on his way.
“I hate it when it is the same, to be honest,” Zverev said in his interview on the field. “I think the tournament directors go in that direction, because they naturally want Jannik and Carlos to do every tournament well, and that’s what they prefer.
“Nowadays you can play almost the same way in almost every surface. I don’t like it. I am not a fan of it. I think tennis needs different game styles, tennis needs a little variation, and I think we are missing that now.”
Alcaraz and Sinner are the only two players who have kept the number 1 ranking list since June 2024. They split the four Grand Slams of this year and both come from title victories – Sinner at the China Open and Alcaraz in the Japan – although Alcaraz misses the Shanghai Masters because of a left ankle injury.
Zverev had to be treated on the field for a toe injury when serving for the game at 5-4, but it did not stop his progress.
“I landed funny on my toe, and then I could hardly take a step, so we will see what it is,” he said. “We will see if I will be healthy again this year, because it has been a struggle, but I am happy to continue.”
PA has contributed to this report.
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