Carlos Alcaraz recently hit back at critics of his off-season schedule, as he prepares to compete in multiple exhibition events.
Alcaraz was unable to compete in November’s Davis Cup Finals after suffering a muscle edema in the final of the ATP Finals – a match he lost to Jannik Sinner.
The Spaniard appears to have recovered from this issue, as he is set to play in two exhibition events this month: A Racquet at The Rock and the Miami Invitational.
He is also scheduled to play an exhibition match against Jannik Sinner in Seoul at the start of 2026.
His decision to participate in these events has drawn criticism – the Spaniard has been a vocal critic of what he believes to be an overly demanding ATP Tour schedule.
The Spaniard’s criticisms of the schedule have been viewed as hypocritical in some quarters due to his continued participation in exhibition events.
Alcaraz hit back at this notion earlier this week, arguing that the intensity of a Tour event is much different to an exhibition.
Steve Johnson says criticism of Carlos Alcaraz’s exhibition schedule is ‘insane’
American former world number 21 Steve Johnson has supported Alcaraz’s participation in such events, arguing that players are able to protect themselves physically when competing in exhibitions.
“People are giving Carlos a hard time for him pulling out of the Davis Cup but still playing this [exhibition vs Fonseca]. I think that is insane,” Johnson said on the ‘Nothing Major‘ podcast.
“There is a vast difference between a competitive match and an exhibition, health-wise.
“The fact that he actually went to Davis Cup and tried to play I thought was a massive win for him. I just feel like in an exhibition you can guard yourself enough to where you are not going to get hurt.”
Johnson went on to acknowledge the financial incentive for Alcaraz, but also highlighted the opportunity for fans to watch one of the best players on the planet.
He said: “I don’t like it when people [criticise] him. Obviously, he is getting paid, but he’s growing the game. These exhibitions are where people who might not get a chance to watch him play get a chance.”
What did Carlos Alcaraz say about exhibition events?
As reported by the Associated Press, Alcaraz said: “First of all, it’s normal that people think that way, and they don’t understand why we’re complaining about the calendar and then we set up the exhibition matches,” Alcaraz explained.
“But for me, the main difference is that, at a tournament, you’ve got to keep your focus, and it’s really physically and mentally demanding for one week and a half. And an exhibition is just one day. You just stay focused, just warm up, just practice not that much — for one match.”
Alcaraz will travel to New Jersey for the ‘Racquet at the Rock’ exhibition on December 7. A day later, he is set to play in the Miami Invitational.
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On January 10 next year, Alcaraz and Sinner are scheduled to play an exhibition match in Seoul, South Korea.
The event will take place eight days before the 2026 Australian Open starts.
