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| © Tiempodetenis1 / X / Fair Use |
Carlos Alcaraz has agreed that there are some strange things about the playing conditions at the Shanghai Masters after Novak Djokovic complained about the speed of the courts at the Chinese tournament.
The Spaniard suffered a disappointing third-round exit on Monday after losing 7-5, 7-6(4) to Belgian Zizou Bergs. Following the match, the 23-year-old was asked about Djokovic's recent criticism of the courts and whether he had similar feelings.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion had described the Shanghai courts as too quick after his second-round defeat to Hubert Hurkacz. Alcaraz, meanwhile, pointed out that the conditions felt completely different between his opening match and the encounter with Bergs.
"To be honest, I just felt the first round it was really, well, it was fast. Today I didn't feel the same way. So, it's weird that in just two days it can feel that I can feel the court, feel the conditions, way different," Alcaraz said.
"Obviously, the first round I played with the roof closed. Today I played outdoors. Yeah, I felt different. I felt the first round it was really quick. Today the ball was bigger, and it was a little bit slower. I don't know why. It's something weird, and something that they have to look after."
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| Carlos Alcaraz. © carlosalcarazbr / X / Fair Use |
Interestingly, the seven-time Grand Slam winner had praised the faster Shanghai courts just two days earlier, following his opening victory against Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
"The court is quite fast, which I like, but that's exactly why I didn't start very well. I couldn't find the rhythm or read his serve well, so I decided to try something different," the former world No. 1 explained at the time.
Djokovic and Fritz also had complaints in Shanghai
Djokovic was another player who struggled to adjust to the conditions in Shanghai. The 39-year-old arrived at the tournament after winning his seventh China Open title in Beijing, but his Shanghai campaign ended in his first match.
Hurkacz defeated the Serbian 6-4, 6-3, recording his first victory over the former world No. 1 after losing their previous eight meetings.
The Polish player hit 13 aces and 28 winners during the match, while Djokovic admitted that the fast conditions and his physical condition made things difficult.
The four-time Shanghai champion had enjoyed much better results at the tournament in previous years, winning the title in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018.
Taylor Fritz also had something to say about the balls used in Shanghai this year. The American complained that they were losing their speed too quickly, making it difficult to finish points even when hitting aggressively.
"Thank goodness they sped up the courts this year. The game is faster, so at least that helps a little," Fritz said.
"But these balls are so fast when they're new, and then they wear out at a crazy pace. Once they're worn, it's a nightmare trying to finish a point. It's so hard."
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| Taylor Fritz© Tiempodetenis1 / X / Fair Use |
However, Bergs did not completely agree with Alcaraz's complaints about the balls. The Belgian admitted that some bounces were not perfect, but claimed that the general conditions were good.
"The balls are exactly the same as those we used in the previous tournament, so I don't think the problem comes from there," Bergs said.
"It is true that, now and then, there was an odd bounce on the court. That is something I noticed even during the warm-up. You might encounter a bad bounce every ten or twenty shots. That exists, and I won't deny it, but I think that, in general, both the courts and the balls are very good."
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| Zizou Bergs. © ma__linharess / X / Fair Use |
Alcaraz also admitted his own performance was far from the level he wanted against Bergs. The world No. 3 made many unforced errors and struggled with his returning throughout the match.
"Today it wasn't a good match from my side. I didn't play good. I would say it was a really bad level from me, and it was a really good level from him," Alcaraz said.
The Spaniard had arrived in Shanghai after successfully defending his Tokyo title and winning seven consecutive matches. Since returning from injury, he has won 11 of his 13 matches.
Despite that record, Carlos admitted that finding anything positive immediately after the defeat was quite difficult.
"Right now, all the negative thoughts come to my mind and none of the positives. But I think I will take the good things about having matches," the Spaniard said.
"I can re-watch the matches with my coach, with my team. It's going to be really helpful for the next tournament."
Alcaraz is now expected to return at the Paris Masters in November, where he will try to improve on last year's result. In 2025, the Spaniard lost his opening match in Paris to Cameron Norrie.
- Sead Dedovic
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