Tennis’s Big 2 a cut above others, but shifting conditions hurting the sport

This year, two ATP 1000 Masters events known for their fast courts put up dramatically slower surfaces.

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The Shanghai Masters courts last year were measured at a pacy 40.8 on the court speed index, but this year dropped to a slow 32.8. Meanwhile the Paris Masters, held on indoor hard courts, dropped from a fast 45.5 to 35.1 this year. In comparison, clay courts ~ the slowest surface in the sport -- tend to range within the late 20s. The court pace index or court speed index is a complex metric measured by an algorithm that uses several factors including velocity of ball, temperature, and friction. A court speed index of 29 or lower means the court is slow; between 30 and 34, medium-slow; 35 and 39, medium; 40 and 44, medium-fast; and 45 and above, fast.

Tennis icon Roger Federer, who was the first man to reach the tally of 20 singles Grand Slam titles, and world No.3 Alexander Zverev believe that the conditions are being slowed down to favour Sinner and Alcaraz, and shine a light on their brand of attritional tennis.

A match between the top two players in the world is a big-ticket event in tennis today, prompting the allegations that courts are being slowed down to increase the chances of a Sinner-Alcaraz final. But there is also the argument that both Sinner and Alcaraz are simply a cut above the rest.

“The end of range is when you get out of the singles court and sort of into the doubles alley. With most guys, when they get into that area they start to lose shape,” said Neville Godwin, 2017 ATP coach of the year. “With (Sinner and Alcaraz), you have to go the extra metre on either side to get them into an uncomfortable position where they lose shape or strength of shot.”