Carlos Alcaraz has proclaimed that the courts at the 2024 Paris Masters “should be a little bit slower” as he feels this would be more “exciting” for spectators. 

The four-time major winner also criticised the fact that “conditions, courts and balls” are different at every tournament and told tennis chiefs this “should be better.”

As well as Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz and Emma Raducanu have all questioned the lack of consistency with the balls used at events.

Casper Ruud recently hit out at players who have complained about the ball issue and claimed they are ‘making drama.’

“You see players complain about the balls all the time,” the world No 8 told the Nothing Major podcast. “I’m getting so tired of it. Come on. Just play.

“For me, what’s funny is some players come like five days in advance to practice. They string like 28 rackets to get the right tension. Then they come to the fourth round and start complaining about the balls.

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“But it’s been the same balls for the past nine days. What’s the point of bringing it up now to the umpire? Like what is he gonna change? What’s the point? Just to make drama out of nothing.”

Following his win against Nicolas Jarry in the second round of the Paris Masters, Alcaraz made his feelings clear on the court speed at the tournament and the inconsistency of conditions on the tour.

“It’s really fast for me. Honestly, it depends on the player, you know there are some players who like this speed,” the Spaniard admitted to Tennis TV.

“But I think it should be a little bit slower, just for the tournament, the people — there’s gonna be more rallies, more tennis to watch.

“But yeah, we are tennis players, every week is different, you know, different conditions, different courts, different balls.

“We have to get used to it, but at some point it should be different, it should be better. But you know, we can’t do nothing about it.”

In an interview with Spanish media, Alcaraz was told the Paris Masters courts have been measured as the quickest of the 2024 season so far.

“Faster than Cincinnati? (laughs). This court is very slippery. We have to get used to it, there is no other way,” the 21-year-old said.

“For tennis, for the spectators, not having so many exchanges is difficult. I would have played it a little slower, to make it more exciting.

“Today, I felt very good on the court. In these conditions, you have to put in more hours.”

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