Four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz has sounded the alarm about the demanding schedule of professional tennis, raising concerns about its impact on players’ well-being. The world number three, a recent victor at the French Open and Wimbledon, has expressed his worry that the situation will only deteriorate in the coming years with the potential addition of more mandatory tournaments.
Speaking after his Laver Cup victory over Ben Shelton, Alcaraz, representing Team Europe, shared his anxieties. “Probably during the next few years, it’s going to be even more mandatory tournaments. Probably they are gonna kill us in some way,” he stated.
Alcaraz highlighted the link between the packed calendar and the increasing number of injured players. “Right now there are … a lot of injured (players) because of the calendar. Probably at some point a lot of good players are going to miss a lot of tournaments because of that,” the 21-year-old remarked.
The Spanish star himself has experienced the taxing effects of the calendar, having competed in 50 professional singles matches this year, winning 41 of them. “It is difficult. Sometimes I didn’t feel motivated at all. The calendar’s so tight. A lot of tournaments … not as (many) days off as I want,” he explained.
“I’ve been feeling this a few times already, that I don’t want to go to that tournament. I want to stay at home with my family and my friends,” he added, revealing the personal toll the demanding schedule can take.
Alcaraz, who will face Taylor Fritz in another Laver Cup group stage match on Sunday, continues to be a prominent voice calling for a more balanced calendar. His concerns echo those of many other players, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of the current schedule and its potential impact on the future of the sport.
