The debate over fairness in tennis court conditions has taken a new turn. After Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev questioned whether tournaments are intentionally slowing down the courts to favor current world No.1 and No.2 Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Cincinnati Open director Bob Moran stepped in to set the record straight.
Sinner and Alcaraz reached the final at the Cincinnati Open this year. The Italian defended his title after winning it in 2024 by defeating Frances Tiafoe. Alcaraz won the title after Sinner retired in the first set due to illness.
What Did the Cincinnati Open Director Say About the Court Speed Controversy?
In a recent interview, tournament director Moran rejected Federer and Zverev’s claims that the tournament courts were intentionally made slower to benefit Sinner and Alcaraz. He asserted that tournament directors never consider creating conditions to favor certain players.
Moran pointed out that, contrary to Federer and Zverev’s assertions about slower courts, Cincinnati courts this year were made faster. Yet, Sinner and Alcaraz still reached the final. He also noted that many players had approached him to comment on how the courts in Ohio felt faster.
“Trying to create something that benefits certain players never goes through our head – not even close. We were fast, and we had Sinner and Alcaraz [in the final]. For the three years I’ve been doing this in Cincinnati, the players have come back to me that they feel fast,” Moran said.
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Moran added that this year, tournaments in the North American hard court swing, including the US Open, aimed for court speeds in the medium-fast to fast range to ensure “consistent speeds” and a “consistent ball.”
“What we were really striving for this year was consistency throughout the swing. When they hit the States, in Washington, DC, through to the US Open. We all decided that we wanted to be in that medium-fast to fast range. Our goal – consistent speeds, consistent ball – and that’s what we are being told by the players they want,” he added.
Alcaraz and Sinner last competed at the 2025 Japan Open and the Shanghai Masters, respectively. The Spaniard triumphed over Taylor Fritz in the final, winning his 24th career ATP Tour title. Meanwhile, Sinner retired due to cramping during his third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor in Shanghai.
Next up, Sinner is expected to compete at the 2025 Vienna Open, scheduled from Oct. 20 to Oct. 26, 2025. The tournament will be held on indoor hard courts at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria. Sinner’s best result at this ATP 500 event came in 2023 when he defeated defending champion Daniil Medvedev in the final, securing his tenth ATP Tour singles title.
On the other hand, Alcaraz is scheduled to compete next at the 2025 Paris Masters, which will take place from Oct. 27 to Nov. 2, 2025, at the Paris La Défense Arena. Last year, he defeated Nicolás Jarry in his opening match before losing to the eventual runner-up, Ugo Humbert, in the third round.
