Inconsistent Alcaraz Called Out for Playing exhibitions Despite Calendar Complaints

Rennae Stubbs has called out Carlos Alcaraz for what she sees as pretty obvious hypocrisy. The former coach of Serena Williams loves watching the young Spanish star play, but that didn’t stop her from pointing out something that’s been bugging a lot of people.

Here’s the thing that’s got everyone talking.

Alcaraz keeps complaining about tennis’s brutal schedule. He’s joined stars like Iga Swiatek and Alexander Zverev in saying the season’s way too long and there are too many tournaments players have to play.

The 22-year-old has even admitted there’ve been times he didn’t want to travel to tournaments because he felt completely drained.

But then he signs up for a bunch of exhibitions in December.

That’s where Stubbs thinks things get a little ridiculous. Alcaraz is scheduled to play Frances Tiafoe and Joao Fonseca in exhibitions next month, plus he’s already committed to this month’s Six Kings Slam.

If the season’s really too intense, why isn’t he using December to rest at home in Spain?

Stubbs Calls Out the Contradiction

On her podcast, the Australian coach didn’t hold back – though she wasn’t exactly attacking Alcaraz either.

"I do think it’s funny because as much as I love Carlos, it’s like I have recently seen that he is literally signed up for like every exhibition in December. He’s doing one in New Jersey, he’s doing the one in Saudi Arabia."

She’s got a point there.

"Like, it is hard to take them seriously when they’re like, yes, the schedule needs to be smaller so that I can go play exhibitions in the Miami suburbs. Again, not so much critique, it’s just a little inconsistent. Yeah, that just makes me, that’s what makes me laugh."

It’s not just this year either. Alcaraz played in the 2024 Six Kings Slam and did two exhibitions last December too.

So this pattern goes back almost a full year.

Taylor Fritz actually defended Alcaraz last year, arguing that exhibitions are totally different from real tournaments. The American thinks they’re less intense and the results don’t really matter as much.

But not everyone’s buying that argument.

The reality is, if you’re gonna keep complaining about being tired while signing up for more tennis, people are going to call you out on it.

What’s Next for Alcaraz

Alcaraz just won the 2025 Japan Open a few days ago, continuing his amazing run since the clay season started. The kid’s been on fire lately.

He beat Fritz in straight sets in the Tokyo final, even after getting into it with the umpire over a time violation.

But he’s dealing with a left ankle problem.

That ankle issue forced him to pull out of the 2025 Shanghai Masters that’s happening right now. He says he’ll be ready for the Six Kings Slam though, which starts October 15th.

The Six Kings Slam’s got quite the lineup: Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Fritz, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The winner takes home $6,000,000.

Sinner actually got roasted last year for saying he didn’t really care about the money after winning that massive payday. Sure, Jannik.

Look, exhibitions pay really well and they’re obviously less stressful than regular tour events. But if you’re going to keep complaining about being overworked while signing up for more tennis, don’t be surprised when people start questioning whether you’re really as exhausted as you claim to be.