Carlos Alcaraz is ‘Protesting Behind the Scenes’ of ATP Events After Frequent Complaints: “He’s Pretty Serious About This”

Carlos Alcaraz has repeatedly expressed his displeasure with the packed ATP schedule, often urging the bosses not to “push” the players too much, as it can lead to injuries when they don’t get enough time to rest and recover between tournaments. Now it has come to light that he is protesting behind the scenes at tournaments.

Alcaraz was last seen in action in the third round of the Shanghai Masters, where Zizou Bergs won 7-5, 7-6(4). The Spaniard complained about inconsistent balls throughout the match.

If Alcaraz fails to take home the Paris Masters, also the season’s last Masters 1000 event, then he will end the season without winning a title at this level for the first time since 2021. He has played only one Masters 1000 final this season, at the Monte-Carlo Masters, where he lost to his arch-rival Jannik Sinner, who ended his season after defending his Wimbledon title due to a knee injury. Alcaraz blamed the calendar for Sinner’s injury.

But he is not only talking in interviews and press conferences to criticize the calendar. According to The Tennis Podcast’s Catherine Whitaker, Alcaraz is not participating in ATP marketing as a form of protest.

I think this issue he has with the ATP and the 1000 events I think this runs pretty deep. I think it’s more than throwing in some quotes and press conferences, and interviews I believe he’s doing some sort of low-key protests behind the scenes. I think he’s abstaining from doing ATP marketing at the moment. He’s pretty serious about this, and I think that will be affecting him at ATP Masters 1000 events.

Alcaraz has planned to take long breaks by skipping tournaments in the future. Whitaker believes the 23-year-old enjoys competing in ATP 500 events.

I think we’ve got a slightly odd situation where 500 event level is kind of the sweet spot for Carlos Alcaraz because they it’s a big enough dollop of points, they have decent fields, appearance fees, and you get treated like a king to be there because you don’t have to be there. 1,000 [events] you’re required to be there, and you’re made to hang around for two weeks minimum, and the whole thing feels like a grind, and Carlos Alcaraz needs it to feel fun.

Catherine Whitaker added

Before Shanghai, he defended his Japan Open title by defeating Jiri Lehecka. It was his second ATP 500 title of the season after the Qatar Open.

Carlos Alcaraz on what went wrong during his defeat to Zizou Bergs

The Canadian Open, Shanghai Masters, and the Paris Masters are the only three Masters 1000 events where Carlos Alcaraz has yet to lift a title. In Shanghai, Alcaraz is a one-time quarterfinalist (reached in 2024).

He skipped the tournament last year due to an injury. Following his defeat this year, Alcaraz analyzed his match, explaining what went wrong that led to his exit.

I did not play a good match today. My rival performed well, and I produced a really bad level of tennis. Even like that, it was a tight match. I could have played better on the important points, and I could say there were a few moments when Zizou was lucky. He hit some returns and other shots with the frame, and they landed in.

Carlos Alcaraz said at the press conference (H/T: Tennis World USA)

Alcaraz will next be seen in action at the Six Kings Slam, the exhibition event in Riyadh, which will run from October 21-24. Two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner withdrew. He beat Alcaraz in both finals.

Also read: Ex-WTA Player Is Losing ‘Sympathy’ for Carlos Alcaraz After Recent Complaints