Federer made the comments on Andy Roddick’s podcast, Served, during the recent Laver Cup in San Francisco.
“I understand the safety net that the tournament directors see in making the surface slower,” Federer said.
“It’s for the weaker player. He has to hit extra amazing shots to beat Sinner, whereas if it’s quick, he can only maybe blast a few and, at the right time, he gets past.
“So that’s what the tournament directors are [thinking], like: ‘I kind of like Sinner-Alcaraz in the finals, you know? It kind of works for the game’.”
Bob Moran, who runs the ATP and WTA 1000 events in Cincinnati, has said in response to those comments that the top players’ requirements are not prioritised by organisers.
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“Trying to create something that benefits certain players never goes through our head – not even close,” Moran said.
“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.
“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 – that’s what we are being told by the players they want.”
While Federer said returning serves and dominating rallies was easier now for the very best players, Moran said any attempts to quicken courts would quickly lead to complaints.
“We would hear it, we would definitely hear it from the players,” Moran added.
“I think we were a little bit faster than normal last year. Players were telling us we were wicked fast last year – almost like ice. I don’t know if we could get much faster than we were last year.
“In my mind, great points, point construction, rallies – I think that’s what the fans are looking for.”
Data from courtspeed.com has confirmed that court speeds across the world have increased since 2017, but the quickest court, in Toronto, is only considered “medium-fast”.
Serena Williams’ former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, said slower courts make for a better spectacle.
“I think it is better for the game because otherwise you would have too many aces and serve winners, which I think is very boring,” Mouratoglou said.
“If you think about it, tennis is very slow. An ace is one second of play, and 30 seconds of wait on tour, which is crazy when you think about it – especially in today’s world when consumers don’t wait that much, and when there is no action you lose them.”
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