"Carlos Alcaraz wants the money" - Fans slam Spaniard for "hypocrisy" over ATP schedule complaints & "unreasonable" defense of playing exhibitions

Carlos Alcaraz has criticized the ATP Tour’s "tight" schedule over the past few weeks but has also confirmed his participation in multiple exhibition events. In a recent press conference, Alcaraz addressed the apparent contradiction, but his explanation left many fans unconvinced.

Since his early exit at the US Open in August, Alcaraz complained about the schedule being "tight." He doubled down on the issue during his Davis Cup appearance. Later, he participated in the Laver Cup, which is not mandatory.

However, during the Roger Federer-backed event, Alcaraz claimed the schedule could "kill" the players. The Spaniard was criticized for participating in non-essential events while complaining about the schedule. Addressing the issue during a press conference ahead of the 2024 China Open, Alcaraz said:

"I've seen a lot of people talk about my exhibitions this year and complain about the schedule, at the same time putting a lot of exhibition. But I want to say there is different things; we all have to separate the exhibitions and the calendar," Carlos Alcaraz said.

A tennis journalist posted Alcaraz's comments on their X account and wrote:

"Carlos Alcaraz, in Beijing, doubles down on his complaints about the schedule (he's right) and also answers those who say he shouldn't complain and then play so many exhibitions."

Fans disagreed with both Alcaraz's comments and the journalist's perspective, claiming that the Spaniard was on the wrong side of the issue.

"Love Carlos, but think he's wrong here and hope journalists call out his hypocrisy," one fan wrote.

"He’s choosing to play exhos. He wants the money," another fan wrote.

"Very unreasonable response to say the least. I think he should have mentioned the money factor to justify why tour should reduce and exhibitions should increase," a third fan wrote.

Here are some more fans reacting to Carlos Alcaraz’s participation in multiple exhibition events while continuing to complain about the ATP Tour schedule.

"So he didn’t address why he plays exhibition matches then 🤣🤣 no sympathy for any player who gets paid massive amounts of appearance fees and then complains the season is too long," one fan wrote.

"(He’s not right) and (his answer to exho complaints is weak af). No one can tell me he didn’t give 110% at laver cup lol," another fan wrote.

"Alcaraz took a huge appearance fee to play Laver Cup...also getting huge appearance fee to play in Saudi in October...If he didn't his schedule would have been just Davis Cup Beijing Shanghai Paris & Tour Finals to finish the year," yet another fan wrote.

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Carlos Alcaraz scheduled to play multiple exhibition events later in 2024

Carlos Alcaraz at the Laver Cup 2024 (Image: Getty)

Carlos Alcaraz has already confirmed his participation in at least three more exhibition events this year. He will play in the "6 Kings Slam" event in Saudi Arabia alongside Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune.

Alcaraz will also feature in the Garden Cup in December - an exhibition event to be played at the Madison Square Garden in New York. The Garden Cup will also feature Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, and Ben Shelton.

Lastly, also in December, Alcaraz will face Frances Tiafoe in Charlotte at the Spectrum Center, home of the Charlotte Hornets.