Carlos Alcaraz has faced backlash this year for his frequent criticism of the ATP Tour schedule.
Much like Iga Swiatek, the Spaniard has often spoken out about the demanding nature of the calendar, saying players don’t get enough time to rest between events.
But despite these complaints, Alcaraz has regularly played in exhibition matches during the off-season, which hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans and pundits alike.
Many have questioned how much weight his concerns carry if he’s choosing to stay active when he could be taking a break.
Back in October, Alcaraz addressed these points, suggesting there’s more to playing exhibitions than people realise.
Carlos Alcaraz has been consistent in explaining why exhibition events are not the same as official tournaments
Alcaraz recently took part in two exhibition matches. On 7 December, he faced Frances Tiafoe and then teamed up with Amanda Anisimova for a doubles match against Tiafoe and Jessica Pegula.
The following day, he played Joao Fonseca at the Miami Invitational. These exhibitions were designed more for fan entertainment than serious competition.
Unlike official tournaments, these matches didn’t demand much from the players physically or mentally. Alcaraz made this distinction clear back in October during the Six Kings Slam event.
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.”
“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 also supported Alcaraz’s view earlier this month. The former world number 21 pointed out that there is “a vast difference between a competitive match and an exhibition.”
Carlos Alcaraz should be praised for his approach to off-season exhibitions
Carlos Alcaraz isn’t just about winning titles – he knows how to put on a show too.
Exhibitions give fans a chance to see their favourite players up close without the pressure of the regular tour. The fact that Alcaraz is happy to get involved speaks well of him, both as an entertainer and a professional.
Alcaraz has one more exhibition lined up before the 2026 season gets underway. He’s set to face Jannik Sinner in Seoul on January 10th, just ahead of the Australian Open.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
