Overview

• Speaking on Andy Roddick’s Served podcast during the Laver Cup in San Francisco, Roger Federer alleged some directors deliberately opt for slower conditions to increase the likelihood of Carlos Alcaraz versus Jannik Sinner finals.
• Federer argued that uniform, slower courts make “every week basically the same,” contending they favor elite baseliners and reduce the chance of upsets that faster courts could enable.
• He cited Reilly Opelka’s loss to Casper Ruud as an example, saying the slow indoor hard court let Ruud neutralize Opelka’s serve, and he said he faults himself for the Laver Cup court speed.
• Coverage also noted claims that organizers influence play by pairing slower courts with heavier balls, extending rallies and reinforcing current trends.
• Federer urged tournament leaders to restore a range of speeds across events to force adaptation, and no governing body or event has announced policy changes in response.