Carlos Alcaraz has been warned that a poor performance at the upcoming Australian Open could invite significant criticism, especially after his busy off-season schedule, which included several exhibition matches.
The world No. 3 capped off his official 2024 season with a win over Tallon Griekspoor in singles at the Davis Cup, though he experienced defeat in a key doubles rubber. However, that wasn’t the last time Alcaraz hit the court that year.
In early December, the 21-year-old traveled to New York for an exhibition match against Ben Shelton at Madison Square Garden, followed by a showdown with Frances Tiafoe in Charlotte, North Carolina. Additionally, Alcaraz took part in the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh in October. While these exhibition appearances provided ample opportunities for the Spanish sensation to showcase his skills, they’ve also sparked criticism, particularly considering his previous complaints about the demanding ATP schedule.
Former world No. 8 John Isner, speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, suggested that Alcaraz could face even more scrutiny if he were to lose early in Melbourne. “No one blames Carlos for taking part in those exhibitions and earning a nice paycheck, but Sinner is staying low-key after his stellar season, just getting back to work and keeping a low profile,” Isner observed. “I’m sure both of them will be ready for Australia, but if Carlos doesn’t perform well, people will be quick to criticize him, questioning his preparation after playing exhibitions instead of focusing on his training. While I don’t think it’s entirely fair, that’s the reality he’s facing.”
Isner’s sentiments were echoed by former world No. 1 Andy Roddick, who dismissed any concerns about Alcaraz potentially being fatigued due to his busy off-season. “Let’s be honest,” Roddick said on his podcast. “Carlos finished up his exhibitions by December 6. He had some downtime in the Caribbean before jumping into these matches. He already got his relaxation and training in, plus earned a lot of money. What other job do we tell people not to do for a huge paycheck? It’s a business, and I don’t want to hear any excuses about not having a long enough off-season. If he’s not feeling great in Australia, I’m not buying it.”
Alcaraz will not compete in any official tour events before the Australian Open, which kicks off on January 12, 2025. With two Wimbledon titles, a US Open, and a French Open to his name, the Spaniard is aiming to become just the sixth man in the Open Era to complete a Career Grand Slam in singles. He has only participated in the Australian Open three times, with his best result coming in 2024, when he reached the quarter-finals.