11.10.2025 19:07
Jannik Sinner Responds to Federer’s Claims of Court Bias Favoring Alcaraz Showdown
Jannik Sinner responded on Wednesday following the allegations made by Roger Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion, regarding tournament organizers allegedly altering court speeds to facilitate a final between Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner himself. The emerging stars of men’s tennis have claimed the last eight major titles and competed against each other in the previous three Grand Slam finals.
Federer’s remarks were made during his appearance on “Served with Andy Roddick”, where he explored the dynamics of modern tennis courts. The 44-year-old explained that on a slow surface, a less skilled player must display exceptional performance to challenge a superior opponent, whereas a fast court might allow lower-ranked players a better opportunity for an upset.
“I understand why tournament directors might prefer slower surfaces,” Federer said. “A weaker player would need to execute extraordinary plays to defeat Sinner on such a court.”
“In contrast, a quicker court might allow them occasional power shots to prevail. Hence, having Sinner and Alcaraz in the finals benefits the sport.”
Prior to the China Open, Sinner was questioned about Federer’s comments and offered his perspective on the matter.
“Hard courts often share similarities,” he noted. “Occasionally, minor changes occur, but they’re generally consistent. Indian Wells is slightly different due to the ball’s high bounce.”
“The ball’s interaction with the court surface varies, but on the whole, the game situation stays consistent. It’s been this way for quite some time. Whether changes will occur remains uncertain.”
“As a player, I strive to adapt in the best possible way. I believe I’m succeeding in this regard, but we must wait to see what each tournament brings.”
Sinner recently fell to Alcaraz in the US Open final, which also led to him losing the No. 1 ranking. He aims to rebound in Beijing, starting against four-time Grand Slam winner Marin Cilic on Thursday.
“We’re implementing new strategies and tweaking small aspects of my game,” Sinner explained. “Currently, I’m making more errors, but I’m hopeful for positive progress.”
“It’s a matter of time. How long it will take is uncertain. There’s a difference between practice and actual matches. Working on new techniques is exciting, and we’ll see how it evolves.”