Overview

• Roger Federer floated the idea during the Laver Cup that directors prefer slower courts to help produce Alcaraz–Sinner finals, and Alexander Zverev echoed it at the Shanghai Masters.
• Jannik Sinner responded that players do not set court speeds and said he focuses on adapting each week rather than blaming conditions.
• Rennae Stubbs said Zverev was “making excuses,” and coach Rick Macci called the claims petty, arguing the duo win because they are on another level.
• John Isner said some events feel faster and others slower, noted Shanghai seems slower this year, and rejected the notion that directors scheme for specific finals.
• The flare‑up followed round‑of‑32 exits for both Zverev and Sinner in Shanghai, and no evidence was presented to substantiate the favoritism claim.