Slowing courts, balls entrench tennis duopoly as Alcaraz, Sinner make hay

It is fitting that in the last major men's tennis tournament of the season (the Davis Cup), it was Italy versus Spain, even if the two biggest players currently in men’s tennis were not there to lead their teams.

- Shahid Judge

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

(REUTER)

Regardless, 2025 belonged to world No.l Carlos Alcaraz and No.2 Jannik Sinner.

For the second season in a row, the duo split the four Grand Slams, and they were the only players who could truly get the better of each other on court -- Sinner was the only player to beat Alcaraz twice this season, and Alcaraz the only player to beat Sinner more than once this year.

As this remarkable rivalry continues to develop, so does a growing trend, the further slowing down of tennis courts and balls, one that some experts, including current and former players, say favours Alcaraz and Sinner.

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

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.