PARIS — World number one Carlos Alcaraz has broken his silence on the controversial decision to sign up for a series of high-profile, big-money exhibition matches in Saudi Arabia and South America while simultaneously withdrawing from the ATP 1000 Rolex Paris Masters due to a left foot injury.
The decision sparked immediate criticism from sections of the tennis world, with pundits and fans questioning the Spaniard's priorities. At a press conference following his first-round defeat to American Brandon Nakashima at the Accor Arena, a visibly frustrated Alcaraz addressed the elephant in the room head-on, defending his right to manage his schedule and finances.
"I understand the questions, I really do," Alcaraz began, his tone measured but firm. "But people on the outside do not know the full details of my body, my schedule, or my contracts. To suggest I am prioritizing money over competition is not just wrong, it is disrespectful to the work I put in every single day."
The Injury and the Withdrawal
Alcaraz's Paris Masters campaign ended abruptly with a 6-4, 7-5 loss, a match where his movement was visibly compromised. He confirmed the issue is a recurrence of a left foot flexor problem that has bothered him intermittently since the grass-court season. The injury forced him to pull out of the Swiss Indoors in Basel the previous week.
"The foot needs rest. It's that simple," he explained. "Playing a best-of-three-set match here, where I could potentially play four or five matches in a week against the best players in the world, is a massive risk. The doctors were very clear that competing here could turn a two-week problem into a two-month problem, jeopardizing my preseason and the start of next year."
The Exhibition Circuit Explained
The controversy stems from Alcaraz's confirmed participation in two major exhibition events scheduled for late November and early December. The first is the "Six Kings Slam" in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a new event featuring a who's-who of men's tennis, followed by a tour of South America with Jannik Sinner. The financial guarantees for these events are reported to be in the multi-million dollar range per player.
Alcaraz was keen to differentiate the physical demands of these exhibitions from the grind of an ATP 1000 tournament. "An exhibition is a completely different environment. The pressure is different, the intensity is different. It's one match, maybe two. I can go out, play my shots, entertain the fans, and there is no ranking pressure. It's about putting on a show, not surviving a draw of 56 of the best players on tour."
He also highlighted the contractual realities of a modern tennis career. "These deals are signed months, sometimes a year, in advance. You commit to them. Pulling out of a contracted exhibition has significant financial and professional repercussions, just like pulling out of a tour event. It's not a simple case of picking one over the other."
A Broader Trend in Tennis
Alcaraz is far from the first top player to face this dilemma. The late-season clash between the official ATP calendar and lucrative exhibition offers has become a recurring theme. The sport's biggest stars, including Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, have long balanced their tour commitments with high-paying off-calendar events.
The specific appeal of the Saudi events, in particular, has become a major point of discussion. The Kingdom's Public Investment Fund (PIF) has become a prominent partner of the ATP, and its individual exhibitions offer appearance fees that often dwarf the prize money of even Masters 1000 tournaments. For a player like Alcaraz, the financial upside is undeniable.
Alcaraz pushed back against the notion that this is a new phenomenon. "Everyone does this. The legends have been doing it for decades. When you have a short career, you have to be smart. You have to think about your long-term future, your family, your team. This is our job. We are professional athletes, and this is part of the business."
The Physical and Mental Toll
Beyond the physical explanation, Alcaraz hinted at the mental exhaustion that accompanies the final stretch of a long season. The 21-year-old has played a packed schedule in 2025, defending his Wimbledon title and contending for the number one ranking in a fierce battle with Jannik Sinner.
"The mind needs a break, too," he admitted. "Playing in Paris, with the pressure of defending points and finishing the year as world number one, is mentally draining. The exhibitions offer a change of scenery. It's still tennis, but it's a different kind of challenge. It helps me stay fresh and find the joy in competing."
He outlined his immediate plan, which includes:
- Resting his foot for the next 10-14 days.
- A light training block to maintain fitness without aggravating the injury.
- Traveling to Saudi Arabia for the exhibition, which he insists will be managed carefully with his medical team.
- A proper off-season to fully recover and prepare for the 2026 Australian Open.
The Verdict and Looking Ahead
The court of public opinion remains divided. Some see a young athlete wisely capitalizing on his prime earning years in a physically punishing sport. Others see a troubling precedent where the integrity of the official tour is undermined by competing, financially superior offers.
As he concluded his press conference, Alcaraz's message was one of defiance and self-assurance. "I know my body better than anyone. I know my heart. I love this sport and I love competing on the ATP Tour. That will always be my priority. But I will not apologize for also making smart decisions for my career and my future. I am 100% committed to coming back stronger and healthier for the Australian Open."
The situation underscores a growing tension in professional tennis. As the financial power of sovereign wealth funds and private exhibitions increases, the traditional tour structure faces its most significant challenge yet. For now, Carlos Alcaraz, like many of his peers, is navigating this new landscape one carefully calculated decision at a time.