Carlos Alcaraz has come under fire this year following his consistent criticism of the ATP Tour schedule.
The Spaniard, like Iga Swiatek, has frequently commented on the intensity of the tennis schedule, arguing that players do not have enough time to recover between tournaments.
However, Alcaraz has been subject to criticism due to his regular participation in exhibition events during the off-season.
Critics point out that Alcaraz’s complaints may fall on deaf ears if he continues to compete during the off-season.
What do you think about Carlos Alcaraz’s decision to play in exhibition events?
In October, Alcaraz responded to these criticisms, claiming players are misunderstood with regard to their participation in exhibition events.
After competing in his latest exhibition event in America, it seems Alcaraz was absolutely correct.
Carlos Alcaraz was right when he said that off-season exhibitions are different to official tournaments
The Spaniard has recently competed in two exhibition events. On December 7, he contested a match against Frances Tiafoe before pairing with Amanda Anisimova in a doubles match against Tiafoe and Jessica Pegula
A day later, Alcaraz defeated Joao Fonseca at the Miami Invitational.
These matches, as exhibitions should be, were events for the benefit of the crowds who attended, rather than for the players.
Simply put, the matches lacked the intensity to cause significant physical or mental hindrance to the players.
Alcaraz argued this point while speaking at the Six Kings Slam in October.
He said: “A lot of players are talking about the calendar, how tight it is with a lot of tournaments, tournaments of two weeks, and then making excuses with exhibitions.
“It’s a different format, different situation playing exhibitions than the official tournaments, 15, 16 days in row, having such a high focus and demanding physically.
“We’re just having fun for one or two days and playing some tennis, and that’s great, and why we choose the exhibitions.
If you were in charge of tennis, what is the first rule you would change?
“I understand [the criticism], but sometimes people don’t understand us, our opinions. It’s not really demanding mentally [compared with] when we’re having such long events like two weeks or two and a half weeks.”
Steve Johnson, the former world number 21, supported Alcaraz earlier this month, saying there is a ‘vast difference between a competitive match and an exhibition.’
Carlos Alcaraz’s willingness to play in exhibitions should be praised
Carlos Alcaraz is not only a competitive tennis player but an entertainer.
His participation in exhibition events should be praised – few players are so willing – or have the capability – to put on a show for the fans.
Alcaraz is set to play one more exhibition event before the first major of 2026. The Spaniard and Jannik Sinner are set to play an exhibition match on January 10 in Seoul, South Korea.
The match will take place eight days before the start of the 2026 Australian Open.
