Slowing courts, balls entrench tennis duopoly as Alcaraz, Sinner make hay

In tennis, slowing courts favor rivals Sinner and Alcaraz, creating a one-dimensional game that may diminish overall skill and variety in matches.

It is fitting that in the last major men’s tennis tournament of the season (the Davis Cup), it was Italy versus Spain, even if the two biggest players currently in men’s tennis were not there to lead their teams. Regardless, 2025 belonged to world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz and No.2 Jannik Sinner.

The ball sitting up gives more time — especially to excellent movers like Alcaraz and Sinner — to reach even the most tightly angled shots. (Getty Images)

For the second season in a row, the duo split the four Grand Slams, and they were the only players who could truly get the better of each other