The ball situation is ‘crazy’, the surface in Turin is too fast: tennis star Alcaraz swings for an all-round shot

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Carlos Alcaraz had imagined the start of the ATP final differently. In a three-set thriller, the Spaniard lost to Alexander Zverev (26, ATP 7) and was already under pressure.

But one thing especially bothered the 20-year-old during his defeat: the surface. “We play on very slow hard courts all year round. And then we get to the final and suddenly we’re playing on the fastest surface of the entire year. I do not understand.”

Daniil Medvedev (27, ATP 3), who plays in the same group as Alcaraz, also notes that Alcaraz “generally plays a bit slower” and therefore prefers the surface not to be too fast. The Russian himself, on the other hand, likes fast surfaces and that is why he hates sand – the slowest surface of all.

Alcaraz is annoyed by the balls

Alcaraz, on the other hand, takes a swing and criticizes not only the playing surface, but also the ball situation. Tennis stars have repeatedly expressed concerns about different balls being used throughout the season. Now also number 2 in the world: “If I played correctly, we played with 20 or 21 different balls in one year. It’s crazy.”

The main reason for the recurring criticism of the ATP is the increasing number of injuries. “You have to do something about it, because it’s unbelievable that we play three or four tournaments in a row with different balls.” If you want to have the best players in a tournament, “you have to change that”.

For the time being, the two-time Grand Slam winner has to live with what is presented to him. On Wednesday afternoon he will meet the Russian Andrei Rublew (26, ATP 5). If Alcaraz loses again, he will need support to avoid being kicked out of the tournament prematurely. (ch)

Source : Blick