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Carlos Alcaraz Defends His Exhibition Matches Against Critics

Carlos Alcaraz explained why he schedules exhibition matches despite a busy schedule.
Pat Benson|
Carlos Alcaraz defended his busy schedule.
Carlos Alcaraz defended his busy schedule. | IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

There is almost nothing tennis fans can complain about regarding Carlos Alcaraz. The six-time Grand Slam champion is perpetually positive and nice to everyone, making him one of the best possible faces for the future of the sport.

However, scheduling is the one issue fans and media members criticize Alcaraz for. The 22-year-old enjoys squeezing as many exhibition events into his calendar as possible, and who can blame him? He gets to visit new cities, interact with fans, and make a nice payday.

The issue came to a head when Alcaraz withdrew from the Davis Cup last month due to right hamstring pain, but he is scheduled for two exhibitions on December 7 and 8 in the United States. But of course, the Davis Cup came at the end of a grueling season, and the ATP Finals.

The Associated Press asked Alcaraz about the perceived conflict, and Alcaraz shot down the idea in his patented friendly manner.

"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 play in two upcoming U.S. exhibitions this month (A Racquet at The Rock and the Miami Invitational). Then, he will kick off the new year with another exhibition match against Jannik Sinner in Seoul, South Korea.

After his exhibition matches, Alcaraz will have a training block to prepare for the start of the 2026 ATP season. Last year, the Spanish superstar got off to a slow start before eventually catching fire during clay court season and maintaining that momentum for the rest of the campaign.

Alcaraz finished the 2025 season as the ATP World No. 1 with a record of 71-9 and eight singles titles (including two Majors).

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Pat Benson
PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers professional tennis for Serve on Sports Illustrated, reporting on ATP and WTA events worldwide. From Challenger tournaments to Grand Slams, he brings readers in-depth coverage, daily recaps, and exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in the sport. With a decade of experience in sports journalism, Pat is recognized as a trusted voice in tennis media. You can contact him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.

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