Former ATP Player Says Criticism of Carlos Alcaraz’s Exhibition Schedule is Completely “Insane”

Carlos Alcaraz will take part in three exhibitions before the start of the 2026 season.

Former ATP Player Says Criticism of Carlos Alcaraz’s Exhibition Schedule is Completely “Insane”

Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

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For the second consecutive year, Carlos Alcaraz will feature in exhibition tournaments despite complaining about the hectic schedule on tour. The 22-year-old has been heavily criticized for his decision to take part in exhibitions, but former ATP player Steve Johnson has come to his defense, stating that criticism against Alcaraz is insane.

Alcaraz was unable to compete in November’s Davis Cup Finals after suffering a muscle edema in the championship match against Jannik Sinner at the ATP Finals in Turin. However, the Spaniard claimed the year-end World No.1 title beating his arch-rival to win it for the second time in his career.

The 22-year-old has been one of the biggest critics of the tour schedule, often complaining that the jam-packed calendar makes it hard for players to be at their best in every tournament. Alcaraz and WTA star Iga Swiatek have suggested on many occasions that the tour schedule needs to be trimmed to fit the players’ routine.

Alcaraz is set to take part in three exhibition tournaments during the pre-season. First, he will appear at A Racquet at The Rock before heading to Miami to feature at an Invitational event. He is also scheduled to play an exhibition match against Sinner in Seoul at the start of the 2026 season before the Australian Open.

During a conversation on the newly released episode of the Nothing Major podcast, Johnson supported Alcaraz’s participation in exhibition tournaments, arguing that players are able to protect themselves physically when competing in such events. He added that the criticism of the Spanish No.1 is unnecessary:

People are giving Carlos a hard time for him pulling out of the Davis Cup but still playing this [exhibition vs Fonseca]. I think that is insane. There is a vast difference between a competitive match and an exhibition, health-wise. The fact that he actually went to Davis Cup and tried to play I thought was a massive win for him. I just feel like in an exhibition you can guard yourself enough to where you are not going to get hurt.

Alcaraz claimed 71 wins on tour this season, the highest in the men’s circuit. He also had the highest number of titles (8), two more than his arch-rival Sinner. His last tour-level victory came at the Tokyo Open, where he shook off an injury scare in the opening round before going on to beat Taylor Fritz in the final last October.

Steve Johnson highlights that the financial incentive of playing in exhibitions will benefit Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz will travel to New Jersey for his first exhibition match against Frances Tiafoe on December 7. The following day, he will play against Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca at the Miami Invitational. Then, on January 10 next year, he and Jannik Sinner will clash in South Korea, just eight days before the start of the 2026 Australian Open.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

During the conversation mentioned above, Steve Johnson acknowledged that the financial incentive for Alcaraz is high at the exhibition tournaments, while also highlighting the opportunity for fans to watch one of the best players in the world currently:

I don’t like it when people [criticise] him [Alcaraz]. Obviously, he is getting paid, but he’s growing the game. These exhibitions are where people who might not get a chance to watch him play get a chance.

Alcaraz racked up more than $18 million in prize money this season and has also earned more than $2 million at the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament. With the upcoming exhibition matches, he’s expected to pocket more millions of dollars.

The Spaniard has already won more than $57 million in career prize money. According to Forbes, Alcaraz earned an estimated $35 million off the court in the 12 months ending in August 2025.

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