Reigning champion Jannik Sinner delivered a commanding opening performance at the Shanghai Masters, showcasing his adaptability and dominance. Amid rising discussions about court conditions, Sinner addressed comments from Alexander Zverev regarding surface speed, emphasizing the players’ need to adjust rather than control the environment.
What Did Jannik Sinner Say About Alexander Zverev’s Claims About Court Speed?
Facing Germany’s Daniel Altmaier in the second round, Sinner demonstrated his trademark composure and power to secure a straight-sets victory. The No. 2 seed broke in the third game of the first set and held firm to close it out 6-3. In the second set, he seized an early break and maintained control throughout, converting three of four break points and wrapping up the match in one hour and 38 minutes.
After the match, reporters asked Sinner for his reaction to Zverev’s remarks about courts being deliberately slowed to favour him and Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian replied:
“You know, me and Carlos, we don’t make the courts. It’s not our decision. We try to adapt ourself in every situation. I feel like still every week is a bit different. I’ve played some great tennis even when it was faster courts. But I’m not making the courts, you know, so I just try to adapt and play my best tennis I can, and that’s it.”
Jannik replicates to Zverev:
“Speed of the courts? Carlos and I don’t make them.”
Via @SpazioTennis pic.twitter.com/r9jkiIof8h
— Janniksin_Updates (@JannikSinner_Up) October 4, 2025
What Did Alexander Zverev Say About the Court Conditions?
After his second-round win at the Shanghai Masters, Zverev said that court speeds were kept slow because tournament directors want Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner to perform well.
“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,” the German said.
After defeating Altmaier, Sinner will next face 27th seed Tallon Griekspoor in the third round of the Shanghai Masters, with the winner of the match taking on either 20th seed Tomáš Macháč or qualifier Valentin Vacherot in the fourth round of the Masters 1000 event.
As for Zverev, he will next take on another Frenchman in Arthur Rinderknech, with the winner taking on either 15th seed Jiří Lehečka or 23rd seed Shapovalov in the fourth round of the Shanghai Masters.
