Alexander Zverev recently stirred controversy by claiming that court conditions were being adjusted to favor players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, allegedly by the tournament directors. His remarks, made after a second-round win over Valentin Royer at the 2025 Shanghai Masters, echoed Roger Federer’s sentiments that came just days earlier.
However, Serena Williams’ former coach Rick Macci disagreed with Zverev, dismissing his comments as ‘petty.’
How Did Rick Macci Respond to Alexander Zverev’s Claims Echoing Roger Federer’s Sentiments?
Zverev began his Shanghai Masters campaign in the second round against French qualifier Royer, securing a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4 win. Beyond his performance, he made headlines for a contentious claim during his on-court interview.
Zverev claimed he dislikes uniform court speeds, alleging that the tournament organizers deliberately set them to orchestrate a clash between arch-rivals Sinner and Alcaraz later in the event.
“I hate when [court speeds are] the same, and I know that the tournament directors are going towards that direction because obviously they want Jannik and Carlos to do well every tournament,” Zverev said.
Zverev later highlighted that historically, players had to adapt their game to different surfaces; however, today, the style of play is nearly identical across surfaces.
Notably, 20-time Major champion Roger Federer made a similar remark about the two top players last month. Speaking on Andy Roddick’s podcast during the Laver Cup, he suggested that tournament organizers deliberately slow down court surfaces to stage another high-profile showdown between Alcaraz and Sinner.
Zverev’s remarks sparked a wave of reactions online from fans and pundits alike, and former coach Rick Macci was no exception. The American suggested that claims about court speeds being adjusted to favor Alcaraz or Sinner are petty. He emphasized that both players are exceptional, and the key is simply to perform better regardless of court conditions.
“Zverev and others are chirping, saying the directors adjust the court speeds to favor Alcaraz/ Sinner. This is another level of petty because they are another level. You just need to get better on any court speed than it does not matter. RIGHT. @carlosalcaraz @janniksin,” he wrote on X.
Zverev and others are chirping saying the directors adjust the court speeds to favor Alcaraz/ Sinner. This is another level of petty because they are another level. You just need to get better on any court speed than it does not matter. RIGHT. @carlosalcaraz @janniksin
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) October 7, 2025
The slower courts have been a major talking point for players in Shanghai in 2025. It wasn’t just Zverev who voiced frustration; fifth seed Taylor Fritz also criticized the sluggish conditions after his third-round loss to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
