Alcaraz: Exhibitions Misunderstood Amid Demanding Tour Calendar

Alcaraz: “Exhibitions Misunderstood” as Tennis Calendar Pressure Grows

World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz has hit back at criticism over players participating in high-paying exhibition tournaments, saying the events are being misunderstood and are far less demanding than the official ATP calendar.

Speaking ahead of the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia (15–18 October), the 22-year-old defended his decision to compete in the event just weeks after voicing concerns over calendar fatigue.

What Is the Six Kings Slam?

The Six Kings Slam is an invite-only exhibition featuring top names:

• Carlos Alcaraz

• Novak Djokovic

• Jannik Sinner

• Alexander Zverev

• Taylor Fritz

• Stefanos Tsitsipas

The format is shorter and less intense than ATP tournaments, but the prize pool is massive — reports suggest up to $6 million for the winner, with seven-figure appearance fees also on the table.

The event is broadcast exclusively on Netflix, adding a high-profile commercial layer.

Alcaraz: “We’re Just Having Fun”

Alcaraz made a clear distinction between tour-level events and exhibitions:

“It’s a different format, different situation… We’re just having fun for one or two days and playing some tennis.”

He added:

“A lot of players are talking about the calendar, how tight it is… then [people] make excuses with exhibitions. But people don’t understand us. It’s not mentally or physically the same.”

Alcaraz has been vocal about overloaded scheduling, especially during the Asia swing, which saw several players withdraw or struggle physically.

Injury Update: Alcaraz Playing Through Pain

Carlos Alcaraz during a practice session in Saudi Arabia

The Spaniard is still recovering from an ankle injury sustained in Tokyo, which led to his withdrawal from the Shanghai Masters.

“I don’t feel 100%, but it improved a lot. The doubts are still there, but I’m going to compete and perform well,” Alcaraz confirmed.

Six Kings Slam: How It’s Unfolding

• Taylor Fritz defeated Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4 and will face Alcaraz in the semi-finals.

• In the other semi-final, Jannik Sinner eased past Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3 to set up a showdown with Novak Djokovic.

Alcaraz and Sinner both received byes to the semi-finals.

The Bigger Picture: Calendar Debate Rages On

While the Six Kings Slam is marketed as a fan-focused, lighter event, player health and scheduling remain hot topics.

Even ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi recently acknowledged that the tour calendar may require reform to protect long-term athlete welfare.

Alcaraz, one of the sport’s busiest and most marketable stars, finds himself at the center of the debate: balancing rest, recovery, and opportunity — both competitive and commercial.

Final Word

As tennis continues to expand globally, and player schedules remain overloaded, Alcaraz’s comments highlight the growing tension between calendar management and earning potential.

Exhibitions like the Six Kings Slam may offer a softer format, but for fans and critics alike, the line between “fun” and “fatigue” is becoming harder to define.