Alcaraz agrees with Federer’s view: the court speed on this year’s tour has been deliberately slowed down significantly.

In the 2025 season, the key protagonists in tennis continue to be Alcaraz and Sinner, the “rivals of the era.” Together, they have won eight Grand Slam titles in the past two years, creating a “two-horse race” on the ATP circuit. Their level of control over the sport is unprecedented in the last ten years. They are pursuing the milestones established by Djokovic and Murray, and this competition reflects wider debates about match conditions in modern tennis.

Earlier this year, tennis legend Federer pointed out that tournament organizers seem to have intentionally slowed down court speeds and used heavier tennis balls. He believes this is a strategic move aimed at emphasizing the high-intensity, long-rally style of play exemplified by Alcaraz and Sinner, thereby increasing the likelihood of both reaching the finals.

As the season approaches its end, Sinner is striving to finish as world number one, but all eyes are now on the Paris Masters—where Alcaraz arrives with a refreshed mindset and a subtle advantage that might overshadow his opponent. Before the Paris Masters began, Alcaraz openly discussed changes to the new venue, La Défense Arena, which aligns with the concerns Federer raised.

According to tennis journalist @Olly_Tennis_ on X, Alcaraz said: “This year is definitely very different from last year; the courts are slower. When the court slows down, you see real tennis, not just a serve contest. We can have longer rallies and more extended exchanges. I enjoy playing here, even though my past results haven’t been great. It’s the end of a long season, and I’ve had some injuries. Year after year, I’m gradually adapting to this pace. Let’s see how far I can go this time.”

In fact, since his debut in 2021, Alcaraz’s best result in Paris was reaching the quarterfinals in 2022, where he lost to eventual champion Rune. This disappointing record makes the 2025 event especially important—it’s a prime opportunity for him to conquer the indoor courts of Paris. However, Alcaraz had already prepared thoroughly before arriving in Paris.

To recover his health, Alcaraz chose to withdraw from the Shanghai Masters late in the season to fully heal his left ankle. Now, he says he feels “great” and that his “stroke form is excellent.” This rest period, combined with the slower courts that suit his style, gives the world number one a strong chance to deliver a powerful performance in Paris.

However, Sinner also holds opportunities. At the Vienna Open, he defeated Deminal 6–3, 6–4 to reach the final. The Italian top seed dominated his opponent from the start, quickly taking a 4–0 lead in the first set; in the second set, during his serve at 5–4 to close the match, he didn’t concede a single point. Sinner’s father, Hans-Peter Sinner, watched the match live, making it an unforgettable moment for both father and son.

Throughout this year, Alcaraz reclaimed the world number one ranking and shared the Grand Slam titles evenly with Sinner. If he can win the Paris title at his preferred pace, it will not only challenge Sinner’s dominance but also serve as his strongest statement to close out the season.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)