Carlos Alcaraz has openly criticized the relentless pace of the professional tennis circuit and announced that he intends to sit out certain events moving forward. The 22‑year‑old Spaniard, who recently returned to competition after a prolonged recovery from a wrist injury suffered in April, was defending his US Open title when he addressed the issue.
He explained that the current schedule is so demanding that players cannot realistically contest every premier tournament without exposing themselves to burnout and injury. Alcaraz highlighted the recent withdrawals of several high‑profile players as a clear sign that the calendar is unsustainable.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Britain's Jack Draper, Denmark's Holger Rune, Brazil's João Fonseca and a host of other top competitors were all missing from the Flushing Meadows draw, underscoring the strain that the tour places on athletes.
"I took more time off than I wanted, to be honest," Alcaraz said after rallying from a set down to defeat Jaime Faria in the second round. "But looking at how tight the calendar is, I don't want to be forced into a break because of an injury.
In the future I plan to schedule longer rests—maybe a month or two—skipping certain tournaments because it's simply impossible to play everything." He went on to argue that the ATP has been adding more high‑profile events, effectively forcing players to choose between competing in every mandatory competition and preserving their health. "You can say no, you can keep one or two events, but there are mandatory Masters 1000s and Grand Slams. If we tried to play every required tournament, we'd be on court for about forty weeks a year. That's not feasible," Alcaraz explained.
The Spanish star warned that the current model is already leading to a surge in injuries and fatigue. "We are seeing a lot of players getting hurt and exhausted. If nothing changes, the problem will only get worse," he cautioned.
While acknowledging that his own recent break was forced by injury rather than choice, Alcaraz emphasized his commitment to taking proactive rests in the future to protect his longevity on the tour. Sky Sports' former doubles champion Jamie Murray echoed Alcaraz's concerns in a separate interview.
"I completely understand the players' viewpoint," Murray said. "The tour now demands more time away from home than ever before. Younger players are watching legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal extend their careers, and they realize that to stay competitive into their mid‑30s they will need to be selective about which events they enter. The tour must adapt to this reality if it wants to keep its best talent on the court." Alcaraz's remarks come at a time when the ATP is under growing pressure to rethink its scheduling format.
Critics argue that the proliferation of mandatory events, combined with a relatively short off‑season, leaves little room for recovery. Some propose a condensed calendar with fewer compulsory tournaments, while others suggest extending the off‑season to give players a true break. In addition to his comments on scheduling, Alcaraj also discussed his upcoming third‑round match at the US Open, where he will face Chinese player Wu Yibing, currently ranked No. 113 in the world.
The Spaniard remains focused on his immediate goal of advancing deeper into the tournament, even as he contemplates longer‑term changes to his playing calendar. The broader conversation about player welfare has been amplified by recent high‑profile injuries across the sport.
From Novak Djokovic's knee issues to Serena Williams' recurring back problems, the physical toll of a near‑year‑round season is evident. Sports medicine experts suggest that strategic rest periods can reduce the risk of overuse injuries, improve mental health, and ultimately extend a player's competitive lifespan. Alcaraz's stance may influence other rising stars to adopt a similar approach.
If top players begin to prioritize selective participation, the ATP could be compelled to restructure its tournament hierarchy, possibly reducing the number of mandatory events or offering greater flexibility in how points are earned. For now, Alcaraz will continue his US Open campaign, aiming to defend his title while also advocating for a more balanced schedule that safeguards the health of all players.
His message is clear: the sport must evolve to accommodate the physical realities of modern athletes, or risk losing its brightest talents to chronic injury and exhaustion.