Carlos Alcaraz is planning to skip future tournaments after his injury struggles this year.
During a US Open press conference, Alcaraz said it’s ‘impossible’ to play a full ATP schedule.
“In the future, I’m going to take some breaks. Maybe not four months, but one month, two months, missing some tournaments, because it’s impossible to play them all,” said Alcaraz.
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Former American ATP stars John Isner, Sam Querrey, and Steve Johnson have now shared their thoughts on Alcaraz’s comments.
John Isner thinks Carlos Alcaraz may never play the Canadian Open again after recent comments
“I think he might have a point,” said Isner.
“A tournament like Canada might not ever see [Carlos] Alcaraz again.”
“Totally. If you’re him, you are going to play the majors, but Indian Wells and Miami. Just play Indian Wells,” added Querrey.
“Toronto and Cincy, just play Cincy.
“If you’re playing Rome and Madrid, just pick one. Maybe go to Asia every other year.”
Carlos Alcaraz’s Masters 1000 appearances
- Indian Wells – 6 (2 titles)
- Miami Open – 6 (1 title)
- Monte Carlo Masters – 3 (1 title)
- Madrid Open – 4 (2 titles)
- Italian Open – 2 (1 title)
- Canadian Open – 2
- Cincinnati Open – 5 (1 title)
- Shanghai Masters – 2
- Paris Masters – 5
Alcaraz has played some Masters 1000 events more often than others.
The Spaniard has attended the Indian Wells Masters and the Miami Open every year since debuting in 2021, but has only played the Italian Open, Canadian Open, and the Shanghai Masters twice.
Isner, Querrey, and Johnson believe Alcaraz will continue to skip certain events.
“I am with you. He has proven that time off does not really hurt him, and when he’s healthy, he is going to be able to train fully,” said Isner.
“I wonder if Jannik Sinner feels like that as well.”
“There is nothing they can do. If you don’t want to play, don’t play,” added Johnson.
“Yeah, put your money where your mouth is. Just don’t play,” said Querrey.
“They are ‘forced’ to play for these bonuses, but if enough of them just don’t play, a change will occur.”
If players refuse to play ‘mandatory Masters 1000 events’, they receive fewer bonuses and also take a hit in the rankings.
But, as the three Americans rightly pointed out, if enough players skip events, the powers that be will likely be forced into a change.
Carlos Alcaraz’s post-US Open schedule
The world number three suggested he would take breaks in the future, but he still has a busy schedule planned for the coming months.
Alcaraz will travel to London for the Laver Cup later this month, an event he and Team Europe lost last year.
He will then attempt to defend his Japan Open title in Tokyo, before heading to China for the Shanghai Masters.
The lucrative Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia may then follow, provided the event isn’t cancelled.
He will then play the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals on indoor hard courts.
Alcaraz could also play the Davis Cup Finals if Spain qualifies, although of the seven events listed, that’s perhaps the one he is most likely to skip.
Seven events Carlos Alcaraz could play before the end of the year
- Laver Cup
- Japan Open
- Shanghai Masters
- Six Kings Slam
- Paris Masters
- ATP Finals
- Davis Cup Finals
There is a lot of tennis to be played this year, and it’s hard to imagine when he will take a break.
Perhaps Alcaraz will consider a lighter schedule for 2027 instead and try to manage things until then.
