"I don’t think that’s fair": John Isner weighs in on Carlos Alcaraz's off-season distractions, implications on Grand Slams in 2025

Former American player John Isner believes that Carlos Alcaraz’s participation in off-season events will be heavily scrutinised if he fails to deliver big performances in the upcoming Australian Open. The first Grand Slam of the season will begin on January 12 in Melbourne, where players worldwide will participate to showcase their talent and secure the ultimate prize.

Alcaraz, who is already regarded as one of the best men's tennis players in the world, along with Italy’s Jannik Sinner, has openly expressed his primary objective in 2025, which is to win the Australian Open. That is the only Grand Slam in which he has never been able to play beyond the quarterfinals.

Former American player Isner, who retired from professional tennis in 2023, has recently spoken in the Nothing Major podcast, as quoted by The Tennis Gazette, where he talked about the potential repercussions if Alcaraz fails to deliver impressive performances in Melbourne. The 39-year-old was of the opinion that if the young Spaniard failed to do well in the first Grand Slam of 2025, a lot of people would question his work ethic as he decided to take part in exhibition events in the off-season instead of preparing for the next season whereas his fiercest rival Sinner decided to a complete opposite.

“None of us begrudge Carlos going out there and collecting two massive cheques but Sinner seems to be putting his head down after his fantastic year and going back to work, keeping a low profile and both of them will be ready to go in Australia,” said Isner. “I think if Carlos doesn’t perform that well at the Australian Open a lot of people are going to jump on the fact that he was in the United States in December playing exhibitions as opposed to getting ready. I don’t think that’s fair, but that’s the way it’s going to be.”