Overview

• Roger Federer told Andy Roddick’s podcast that tournament directors have slowed conditions, arguing predictable speeds help ensure marquee finals featuring Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
• Federer said slower courts make returns easier and reduce the edge of big servers, adding that he has influence over Laver Cup conditions.
• Asked in Beijing before the China Open, Sinner said many hard courts feel similar, citing Indian Wells as a notable outlier because the ball bounces higher.
• An analysis cited in coverage contrasts Monte Carlo and Cincinnati, noting adjusted ace rates of roughly 5.3% versus 12.3%, longer rallies on the slower event, and a lower Court Pace Index for clay.
• Context for the debate includes a season dominated by Alcaraz and Sinner, who met in three straight Grand Slam finals in 2025 and have split the year’s majors between them.