Carlos Alcaraz Seeks Change in Tennis Balls After Laver Cup Experience
Alcaraz Shines as Europe Reclaims Laver Cup
Carlos Alcaraz played a key role in Team Europe's victory over Team World at the Laver Cup in London. He completed the event undefeated, winning both his singles match and a doubles match alongside Jakub Mensik. Together, they defeated Alexander Bublik and Taylor Fritz to earn a point, while Alcaraz secured two points with a singles win against Fritz.
Although he was scheduled to face Alex de Minaur on the final day, Alexander Zverev clinched the title for Europe before that match took place.
Comments on Court Speed and Conditions
After the triumph, both Mensik and Alcaraz spoke at a press conference about the pace of the courts at the O2 arena, which hosted the indoor hard-court ATP event. The tournament did not award ranking points but counted toward head-to-head records.
Players noted the courts felt slow and challenging. Mensik remarked the surface was among the slowest hard courts he had faced this year, making it difficult to find rhythm, especially for someone relying on serve and heavy groundstrokes. He also criticized the balls used, calling them "not that good" and contributing to the sluggish play.
Alcaraz offered his perspective, saying he didn’t mind slower courts because his serve isn’t the most powerful. He discussed conversations with Yannick Noah about how tennis has evolved, with courts slowing over time. Alcaraz believes the real issue lies with the balls rather than the court speed.
"We can see during many tournaments how the ball's reaction from the court changes. The ball becomes super big, and it's a completely different game when the balls are new," he said. "We only play a few games with those balls before adapting as best we can."
He made a clear request to tennis officials: the balls used should be the best possible match for each court and tournament to maintain consistency in play. Alcaraz admitted uncertainty about whether any changes would happen but emphasized his focus on adapting quickly as he moves through the busy ATP schedule.
Looking Ahead: Tokyo and Beyond
Whether Alcaraz’s suggestion will be acted upon remains unknown, but he is among many top players frustrated by current ball conditions. With a tight calendar and frequent shifts between events and surfaces, players must swiftly adjust to stay competitive.
Alcaraz, known for his adaptability, now turns his attention to the Japan Open in Tokyo, where he returns as the defending champion. His time at the Laver Cup was memorable, but the grind of ATP competition continues without pause.
