Sports · Tennis · 4 hrs ago
Alcaraz questions changing court conditions after Shanghai Masters exit
Carlos Alcaraz lost to Zizou Bergs in straight sets at the Shanghai Masters in China.
After the match, he said the court felt fast in his first round but slower in his match against Bergs.
He also said the ball felt bigger and questioned why conditions seemed to change over two days.
Alcaraz noted that his first match was played with the roof closed, while his loss was outdoors.
Novak Djokovic had described the court as too fast, but Alcaraz said he experienced different conditions.
He said he made many unforced errors and could not find a comfortable rhythm, while also crediting Bergs’s strong serving.
Alcaraz is next set to play at the Paris Masters, where he lost in the first round last year.
Carlos Alcaraz lost in straight sets to Zizou Bergs at the Shanghai Masters.
After the defeat, Alcaraz said the court conditions felt different between his first and second matches.
He said the first-round court felt fast, while the court in his loss felt slower and the ball felt bigger.
Alcaraz said he was disappointed with his performance and made many mistakes.
He said the conditions were something tournament organisers should look into.
- Who
- Carlos Alcaraz and Zizou Bergs.
- What
- Alcaraz lost in straight sets and questioned changes in the court conditions.
- When
- 2026-10-12, according to the article’s publication date.
- Where
- The Shanghai Masters in Shanghai.
- Why
- Alcaraz said the court and ball felt different between matches; he also said he made many mistakes and did not play as he wanted.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Alcaraz said the court felt fast in his first-round match, which was played with the roof closed.
Alcaraz lost in straight sets to Zizou Bergs and said the court felt different in the outdoor match.
Alcaraz said he would head to the Paris Masters.
- Opponent
- Zizou Bergs
- Result
- Straight-sets loss
- First-round conditions
- Roof closed; court felt fast to Alcaraz
- Conditions in loss
- Outdoors; ball felt bigger and the court slower to Alcaraz
- Next tournament
- Paris Masters
What people are saying
To be honest, I just felt the first round it was really, well, it was fast. Today I didn’t feel the same way.
So, it’s weird that in just two days it can feel that I can feel the court, feel the conditions, way different.
Today the ball was bigger, and it was a little bit slower.
It’s something weird, and something that they have to look after.
Sources
Related news
Zizou Bergs defeats Carlos Alcaraz to reach Shanghai Masters fourth round
Zverev and Hewitt’s practice-court interaction goes viral
Alexander Zverev secures 2026 year-end No. 1 ranking
Alcaraz loses to Bergs in Shanghai after struggling with unpredictable bounces
Zheng Qinwen wins China Open for first title in two years
Zheng Qinwen and Mirra Andreeva withdraw from Wuhan Open
Alcaraz beats Cerundolo in Shanghai after debuting team moustache pact
Arthur Gea beats Ben Shelton in straight sets at Shanghai Masters
UN rights office condemns racist abuse aimed at Coco Gauff
Zheng Qinwen reaches China Open final against Mirra Andreeva
Zverev to finish 2026 as year-end world No 1 after Alcaraz’s Shanghai loss
