Home ahoho CARLOS ALCARAZ SENT A FOUR-WORD MESSAGE TO TENNIS CHIEFS AT THE LAVER CUP — BEFORE MAKING ONE REQUEST HE BELIEVES THE SPORT CAN NO LONGER IGNORE. The Spaniard arrived in London still carrying the effects of an extraordinary few weeks on tour. And when the conversation turned to something that happened during his US Open run, Alcaraz made it clear he does not want players — or fans — repeatedly put through the same situation. His proposed change would affect some of tennis’ biggest matches, and he believes action now needs to be taken.

CARLOS ALCARAZ SENT A FOUR-WORD MESSAGE TO TENNIS CHIEFS AT THE LAVER CUP — BEFORE MAKING ONE REQUEST HE BELIEVES THE SPORT CAN NO LONGER IGNORE. The Spaniard arrived in London still carrying the effects of an extraordinary few weeks on tour. And when the conversation turned to something that happened during his US Open run, Alcaraz made it clear he does not want players — or fans — repeatedly put through the same situation. His proposed change would affect some of tennis’ biggest matches, and he believes action now needs to be taken.

ahoho · 28/09/2026 · comments off

Carlos Alcaraz played another very important role for Team Europe as they reclaimed the Laver Cup from Team World.

Alcaraz finished the tournament with a 100% record, winning his one singles match and one doubles match in London. He earned one point for a doubles win with Jakub Mensik against Alexander Bublik and Taylor Fritz, and two points for a singles win over Fritz. The Spaniard was scheduled to play against Alex de Minaur on day three of three, but Alexander Zverev claimed the Laver Cup title for the hosts before then.

The winning Laver Cup team gathered for a press conference after the victory, where both Mensik and Alcaraz were tasked with discussing the speed of the courts at the event. The O2 arena in London played host to the hard-court, indoor ATP event, where no ranking points are available, but matches count towards head-to-head records.

Carlos Alcaraz wants to make ‘request’ after Laver Cup week

Told the conditions looked slow and difficult to play in, Mensik and Alcaraz were asked for their opinions on the matter. It was also suggested to the pair that indoor tennis allows players to attack more, with the duo asked what it was really like and if they think it should be different in the future.

Mensik replied: “Well, yeah, obviously, especially me or I guess all of us, we felt like the conditions were pretty slow, which, yeah, compared to the other tournaments, it’s one of the probably slowest surfaces that I have played on this year, like as far as hard courts are here.

“So yeah, I mean, it was really tough for me to get used to it, to get the rhythm. Especially for me, my game is a lot about the serve and heavy groundstrokes. It’s even more difficult for me to finish the ball. So, you know, the trend of this, I didn’t really know where it’s going, but obviously with the combination of the balls, which I consider them that they were not that good, as well, it was super slow.”

And Alcaraz commented: “I mean, for me, I don’t mind slow courts. You know, especially with my serve, it’s not the biggest one. No, but yeah, in terms of, you know, I mean, I have been talking with Yannick [Noah], the team, how the tennis has improved over the years, how fast it was the courts back then. And now, you know, it’s getting slower, but I think it’s not about the courts. It is about the balls, I would say.

“You know, we can see during a lot of tournaments how the balls’ reaction from the court is totally different. The ball becomes super big, and it’s a totally different game when it’s new balls. We play two or three games with those balls, you have to adapt yourself the best you can.

“I don’t know where if they’re going to change it or not, but what I request is that they have to see the best ball possible for the courts are made, the tournaments we’re going to play. I think that’s a really important thing to know. But, you know, who knows? What I can say is I’m trying to adapt myself and the game the best I can in the tournament that I go.”

It remains to be seen whether or not Alcaraz’s request will be granted, but he clearly isn’t the only player having an issue with the balls being used. But he is one of many top players who must quickly move on amid the busy ATP calendar, where there is very little time to try and make a successful switch from tournament to tournament and court to court.

That is a skill Alcaraz has mastered throughout his glittering career so far, which takes him to Tokyo next. Alcaraz loves the Laver Cup, but he now returns to more competitive action at the Japan Open, where he is the defending champion.

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