Carlos Alcaraz has openly criticized the grueling nature of the professional tennis schedule and announced that he intends to begin skipping certain events in the future. After returning from a prolonged lay‑off caused by a wrist injury he suffered in April, the Spaniard came back to defend his US Open crown.
In the aftermath of his second‑round victory over Jaime Faria, Alcaraz reflected on the toll that the current calendar exacts on players and warned that trying to compete in every mandatory tournament is simply unsustainable. He pointed to the conspicuous absences of several top‑ranked players as a clear signal that the tour’s structure is pushing athletes toward burnout and injury. World No.
1 Jannik Sinner, British rising star Jack Draper, as well as Holger Rune, João Fonseca and a host of other competitors were missing from Flushing Meadows, underscoring the broader problem. "I took more time off than I wanted, to be honest," Alcaraz said, acknowledging that his own break was forced by the wrist problem. "But looking at how tight the calendar is, I don’t want to have to take a break because of an injury.
In the future I’m going to schedule longer rests—maybe not four months, but a month or two, skipping some events—because it’s impossible to play everything." He went on to argue that the ATP has been adding increasingly important tournaments, effectively forcing players to choose between a packed itinerary and their health. "You can say ‘no’ and 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 simply can’t happen without risking serious fatigue and injury." Alcaraz warned that the current trajectory will likely produce even more injuries if the governing bodies do not intervene.
"We’re already seeing a lot of players getting hurt and exhausted. If nothing changes, the situation will only get worse," he said. His comments were echoed by former doubles champion Jamie Murray, who told Sky Sports Tennis that he fully understands the players’ perspective.
Murray noted that the modern tour demands more time away from home than ever before, and that younger athletes are watching the career extensions of legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. "If they want to keep playing into their mid‑30s, they’ll have to start skipping tournaments, and the tour needs to accommodate that reality," Murray argued. Alcaraz’s remarks come at a time when the sport is grappling with a broader debate about calendar reform.
Critics argue that the ATP’s push to expand the number of high‑profile events—particularly the Masters 1000 series—has created a schedule that leaves little room for recovery. Players are often required to travel across continents week after week, adjusting to different surfaces and climates with minimal downtime.
The cumulative effect, many say, is a heightened risk of overuse injuries, mental fatigue, and a shortened career span. For Alcaraz, the decision to take strategic breaks is also a tactical one. By preserving his physical condition, he hopes to remain competitive at the sport’s biggest stages for as long as possible. "I didn’t enjoy taking this break because of the injury, but moving forward I’ll definitely miss some tournaments to protect my body," he affirmed.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz is set to face Chinese player Wu Yibing, currently ranked No. 113, in the third round of the US Open on Friday. The match will be a test of his form after the recent injury lay‑off and his newly stated approach to scheduling. The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with additional streaming options available through NOW and the Sky Sports app.
Fans can also look forward to the Laver Cup, which will be held at the O2 Arena in London from September 25‑27, further highlighting the packed nature of the tennis calendar that Alcaras and his peers are urging the ATP to rethink.