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Carlos Alcaraz says if he agrees with Novak Djokovic’s comments about the Shanghai Masters conditions, ‘it’s weird’

World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz suffered another early exit at the Shanghai Masters, falling in straight sets to Zizou Bergs in a match that underscored his struggles with consistency at this tournament.

The 23-year-old Spaniard, who has yet to advance past the quarterfinals in Shanghai, cited baffling court conditions as a key factor in his performance, noting a stark difference between his first-round match—played indoors with a closed roof—and his second-round defeat under outdoor conditions. Alcaraz, who had previously praised the faster courts in Shanghai, admitted the surface felt unusually inconsistent, with the ball bouncing differently despite only two days passing.

He also blamed unforced errors and a lack of rhythm for his loss, calling the result 'really disappointing' after failing to replicate his earlier success in the tournament.

The Spaniard’s comments come amid broader concerns about the Shanghai Masters’ playing surface, with Novak Djokovic also criticizing the court’s speed earlier this season. Alcaraz, who has battled form issues in the latter half of past campaigns, will now look to turn his focus to the Paris Masters, where he aims to avoid a repeat of last year’s first-round exit to Cameron Norrie.

His absence from two majors earlier this season due to injury had raised hopes of a stronger finish to his campaign, but the Shanghai setback leaves those expectations unfulfilled for now.

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