Jimmy Connors Makes Sarcastic Comment About Carlos Alcaraz’s Exhibition Participation Despite Schedule Complaints

World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz featured in three exhibition events this year, including at the Six Kings Slam.

Jimmy Connors Makes Sarcastic Comment About Carlos Alcaraz’s Exhibition Participation Despite Schedule Complaints

Carlos Alcaraz, Jimmy Connors (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K, Sports Infos)

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The 2025 tennis calendar has ended, and players have started to enjoy their off-season. The next big tournament is the 2026 Australian Open, where Carlos Alcaraz will aim to complete his Career Grand Slam.

Former player Jimmy Connors wondered whether Alcaraz would feature in exhibition tournaments before the Melbourne Slam. Alcaraz has always censured the 11-month tennis calendar, accusing it of playing a great role in players’ burnout and injury problems.

But those advocating for a long calendar argue that Alcaraz, instead of signing up for exhibitions when he is not competing on the tour, should focus on rest and recovery. Alcaraz often hit back at the critics, saying that in exhibitions, the atmosphere is pretty relaxed compared to the official tournaments.

This season, prior to starting his campaign in the Major Down Under, the six-time Grand Slam champion featured in the exhibition at the Australian Open Opening Week, playing two matches against Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin. Regarding Alcaraz’s exhibition participations, Connors made a sarcastic comment. He said on his Advantage Connors podcast:

Yes, this is the season for making money, as if you haven’t already made enough (laughs). It’ll be interesting to see. Will they push their luck, play more exhibitions, and arrive tired in Australia? You know, they’ll say, ‘I’ve been traveling, I’ve been doing this, I’ve been playing too many exhibitions.’ You can make a lot of money, but then you can lose in the second round in Australia.

Apart from the Melbourne event, Alcaraz featured in two more exhibition tournaments. He played the La Batalla de Leyendas in March against Frances Tiafoe. Then in October, the Spaniard participated in the Six Kings Slam, where he once again lost the $6 million prize money to arch-rival Jannik Sinner.

Tim Henman weighs in on the relationship between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are poles apart in personality. Alcaraz is lively, always smiling, emanating infectious joy, while Sinner possesses a calm demeanor and remains ice-cold no matter the situation. Despite their contrasting personalities, they have a good relationship off the court. Tim Henman has now commented on their on and off-court relationship.

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K, Jannik Sinner HQ)

The way these two have emerged and overtaken the group that were [Alexander] Zverev, [Daniil] Medvedev, and [Stefanos] Tsitsipas, they’ve established themselves as clearly the two best players, and at the age of 22 and 23, they’ve already played each other 15 times. Rivalries are so important and on the greatest stage. They’re elevating each other’s game, and their relationship is so good. On and off the court, they’ve got so much respect for each other, but they are different characters.

Tim Henman told Sky Sports

Alcaraz and Sinner have been dominating on the tour since 2024, as they not only split the last eight Majors, but have played 35 combined finals, securing 26 titles. Six times they met this season, including in the final match of the men’s tour.

At the ATP Finals, Sinner defended his crown after tough straight sets, defeating the World No.1 for the second time in their last nine meetings. The first time was at Wimbledon, where Sinner not only clinched his first title at SW19 but also avenged his French Open final defeat.

While last year the 24-year-old ended the season with the most titles (eight), Alcaraz took home the same number of titles this year, also the most this year. Sinner ended up bagging six titles from 10 finals, despite missing three months due to his doping saga.

Sinner played in every Grand Slam final this year, winning at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz reached three Grand Slam finals, winning the French Open and the US Open, failing to complete a three-peat at Wimbledon, all against his fierce rival.

Also read: Jack Draper Discusses the Need to Improve in his Game Following in the Footsteps of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner