Paris Masters to Slow Court Speed, Potentially Impacting Alexander Zverev’s Game

The Paris Masters announced today that courts will be slowed for the 2025 tournament, a change that could significantly affect players like defending champion Alexander Zverev, who thrives on faster surfaces.

Tournament director Cédric Pioline explained the decision, stating, “We will have perfect uniformity on all four courts,” and that “The goal is to facilitate the players’ transition towards the end of the season.” The move, reported on October 15, 2025, comes after the tournament relocated from the Bercy Arena to the La Défense Arena after 38 years. For four years, the Paris Masters had been known as the quickest event on the ATP Tour.

Zverev recently expressed concerns about potential preferential treatment given to top players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, suggesting tournament directors might be altering conditions to favor them. “I hate when it’s the same,” Zverev said in Shanghai. “I think the tournament directors are going towards that direction because they want Jannik and Carlos to do well at every tournament, and that’s what they prefer.” These comments followed similar observations from Roger Federer at the Laver Cup, highlighting a growing debate within the tennis community about court speed adjustments. The shift in court speed could impact the overall competitive landscape of the ATP Tour as players adjust their strategies.

Both Alcaraz and Sinner remain on the entry list for the Paris Masters, which begins on October 27. Tournament officials have indicated they will continue to monitor player feedback and make adjustments as needed to ensure a fair and competitive environment.