Carlos Alcaraz has openly criticized the relentless pace of the modern tennis circuit and announced that he intends to start skipping certain events in the future. After returning from a prolonged lay‑off caused by a wrist injury he suffered in April, the Spanish star was back on court to defend his US Open crown. In the aftermath of his second‑round victory over Jaime Faria, Alcaraz reflected on the toll that an over‑packed schedule can take on even the most elite athletes.
He noted that the current calendar leaves little room for recovery and makes it virtually impossible for players to contest every mandatory tournament without jeopardising their health. "I took more time off than I wanted, to be honest," Alcaraz said, acknowledging that the injury forced him into an extended break. "But looking at how tight the calendar is, I don’t want to be forced into another break because of an injury." The Spaniard pointed to the conspicuous absence of several top‑ranked players at Flushing Meadows as proof that the system is unsustainable. World No.
1 Jannik Sinner, Britain’s rising star Jack Draper, Holger Rune, João Fonseca and a host of other high‑profile competitors were missing from the draw, underscoring the growing trend of players withdrawing to protect their bodies. Alcaraz explained his future approach in plain terms: "In the future I’m going to take some breaks – maybe not four months, but one or two months – and miss a few tournaments because it’s impossible to play them all. The tour keeps adding more important events, and we’re expected to play them.
You can say ‘no’, you can keep one or two, but the pressure is huge." He highlighted the sheer volume of mandatory commitments: "There are the Masters 1000s, the Grand Slams, and if we tried to play every tournament the ATP requires, we’d be on court for about 40 weeks a year. That’s simply not feasible." The consequences are already evident. Alcaraz observed that injuries and fatigue are becoming commonplace, and without structural changes the situation will only worsen.
"We’re seeing a lot of players getting injured, a lot of players getting tired. If nothing changes, we’ll see even more of that in the future," he warned. Alcaraz’s comments echo concerns voiced by former doubles champion Jamie Murray, who told Sky Sports Tennis that the tour’s length has reached unprecedented levels. Murray noted that younger players are watching the career trajectories of legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who have managed to extend their playing years by being selective about their schedules.
"If they want to play until they’re 34, 35 or 36, they’ll probably have to skip tournaments, and that’s something the tour needs to consider," Murray said. The broader implication is that the ATP must rethink its calendar to balance commercial interests with player welfare. With over a hundred professionals vying for spots, the pressure to accommodate every event is intense, yet the physical realities cannot be ignored.
Alcaraz’s plan to incorporate strategic rest periods could set a precedent for his peers, encouraging a shift toward a more sustainable model of competition. Looking ahead, Alcaraz will face Chinese world No. 113 Wu Yibing in the third round on Friday, a match that will test his form after the recent injury and the mental load of his new scheduling philosophy. Meanwhile, the US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with additional streaming options available through NOW and the Sky Sports app.
In summary, Carlos Alcaraz is signaling a willingness to prioritize health over a packed itinerary, advocating for longer breaks and selective participation in order to preserve longevity in the sport. His stance, supported by fellow players and former champions, highlights a growing consensus that the current tennis calendar may need a fundamental overhaul to prevent burnout and safeguard the future of the game.