Carlos Alcaraz has been defended by Mats Wilander.
Carlos Alcaraz has been defended by former world No 1 Mats Wilander amid criticism of the Spaniard’s decision to play exhibitions in the US this off-season.
World No 3 Alcaraz first went to New York to play Ben Shelton in Madison Square Gardens at the start of December, before playing against Frances Tiafoe in Charlotte, North Carolina later that week.
The Spaniard is then thought to have been on holiday for a week before returning to Spain to start his pre-season training, ahead of the Australian Open starting on January 12th.
Throughout the second half of the season, the four-time major winner did not hide his disgruntlement at the demands of the tennis calendar, joining calls for a reduced number of events.
This has led to criticism of Alcaraz’s decision to play exhibitions, with Andy Roddick and John Isner among those suggesting that he would not be able to complain about fatigue should he lose early in Melbourne.
Roddick said he would not “want to hear about” Alcaraz potentially not feeling at his best Down Under, while Isner warned “people will come down” on him should he lose early.
However, Alcaraz has now found a voice of defence in the form of Wilander, a seven-time Grand Slam champion.
Speaking to Eurosport, the Swede claimed it was “very positive” for Alcaraz to play some exhibitions, and that doing so would not impede him in any way.
He said: “I think it’s very positive that Carlos Alcaraz plays certain exhibitions.
“I’m not a big fan when you’re going to play an exhibition tournament where you have to play four or five matches or even three or four.
“But when you go to massive stadiums like Madison Square Garden, it’s okay, and it’s just one match. We’re not talking about preparing four or five days before and then playing three or four matches.
“So the whole discussion about the schedule being too tough and too many matches having been played, I think sometimes you have to separate the exhibitions from the exhibitions.
“And an exhibition like going to Madison Square Garden, the experience in New York City in the fall and winter, I mean, it’s a big inspiration for any artist or athlete.
“So I think he’s done the right thing.”
Alcaraz will not play a warm-up event in the build-up to the Australian Open, which starts just two weeks into the new season.
The Spaniard is set to be the third seed in Melbourne and will be looking to make history Down Under.
Winning the title would make Alcaraz just the sixth man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam, and the youngest to do so.
Alcaraz’s previous best result in Melbourne came at the start of 2024, where he reached the last eight before suffering a four-set loss to Alexander Zverev.
