Carlos Alcaraz Seeks Change After Laver Cup Court Conditions

Carlos Alcaraz was a key player for Team Europe as they regained the Laver Cup from Team World. He completed the tournament undefeated, winning both his singles match and a doubles match in London.

Alcaraz teamed up with Jakub Mensik to win doubles against Alexander Bublik and Taylor Fritz, earning one point, and later claimed two points in singles by beating Fritz. Although Alcaraz was set to face Alex de Minaur on the final day, Alexander Zverev secured the title for Europe before that match took place.

Discussion on Court Speed at the Laver Cup

The winning team held a press conference where Mensik and Alcaraz were asked about the speed of the courts. The event took place indoors at London’s O2 Arena on hard courts, which did not offer ranking points but affected head-to-head records.

Both players noted the courts felt slow and challenging. It was suggested indoor conditions typically help players attack more, but their experience differed.

• Jakub Mensik said: "The conditions were quite slow, probably the slowest hard courts I’ve faced this year. It was tough to find rhythm, especially since my style relies on serve and heavy groundstrokes. Finishing points was harder with these conditions. Also, the balls used weren’t ideal—they slowed the game down even more."
• Carlos Alcaraz added: "I don’t mind slow courts because my serve isn’t the fastest. I’ve discussed with Yannick Noah and others how tennis courts have become slower over time. But really, it’s about the balls. The way balls react differs hugely between tournaments, sometimes making the game feel different, especially when balls are new. My main request is for officials to choose balls that best suit the courts and tournaments. I’m adapting as best I can."

Looking Ahead: Alcaraz Targets Japan Open

Whether tournament organizers will heed Alcaraz’s call remains uncertain. He joins other top players who struggle with inconsistent ball quality amid a packed ATP calendar that demands quick adjustments between events and surfaces.

Alcaraz, who has shown remarkable adaptability throughout his career, now heads to Tokyo for the Japan Open, where he defends his title. Though he enjoys the Laver Cup atmosphere, competitive challenges await in Japan.