“It’s Impossible”: Carlos Alcaraz Voices Concerns Over Grueling ATP Calendar
NEW YORK — As the grueling demands of the professional tennis circuit continue to push the world’s top athletes to their physical limits, defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz has issued a stark warning: the current ATP schedule is unsustainable.
Following a hard-fought second-round victory at the 2026 US Open, the 22-year-old Spaniard revealed that he intends to prioritize his long-term health by intentionally taking extended breaks throughout his future seasons, even if it requires skipping mandatory events.
A Plea for Longevity
Alcaraz’s perspective is shaped by recent personal experience. The young star recently returned to the tour after a four-month layoff due to a wrist injury—a forced hiatus he describes as far from ideal. However, that time away has reframed his approach to career management.
“I took more than I wanted, to be honest,” Alcaraz admitted. “But seeing how tight the calendar is, I don’t want to have this kind of break again because of an injury. In the future, I’m going to take some breaks—maybe not four months, but one or two months. I will be missing some tournaments because it’s impossible to play them all.”
Alcaraz pointed to the increasing number of high-stakes events on the tour. With mandatory Masters 1000s and four Grand Slams filling the calendar, players are effectively required to compete for nearly 40 weeks a year.
“They are adding more important tournaments, and in a way, they are making us play,” he noted. “We are seeing a lot of players getting injured and getting tired. If they don’t do anything about it, we are going to see even more [injuries] in the future.”
His comments highlight a growing tension within the sport, where the push for a more packed schedule often clashes with the physiological requirements of elite-level competition. You can read more about his concerns and the broader ATP calendar pressures in recent reports.
Formidable on Court
Despite his frustrations with the workload, Alcaraz’s performance on the court remains as dominant as ever. After dropping the opening set to Portugal’s Jaime Faria, the Spaniard surged back to secure a 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 victory.
Alcaraz displayed his trademark resilience by rattling off eight consecutive games, dismantling Faria’s serve five times in a row to seize momentum. With 43 winners and a clinical display of shot-making, he successfully extended his current Grand Slam winning streak to 16 matches.
Boasting an impeccable 9-0 record at the majors in 2026 and a career US Open record of 26-3, the two-time champion continues to look like the man to beat in New York. Alcaraz is set to face China’s Wu Yibing in the third round, where he will look to keep his title defense alive while continuing his advocacy for a more sustainable future for his fellow competitors.
