"I think he's done the right thing" - Mats Wilander on Carlos Alcaraz playing multiple exhibition matches during the hectic season

There has been a lot of debate regarding the grueling schedule of the ATP Tour. However, former World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz stoked the flames by competing in numerous exhibition events at the end of the season, despite complaints by players and fans to shorten the already hectic season schedule.

After competing at the year-ending ATP Finals in Turin, Alcaraz flew over to the United States for two separate exhibition events. The Spaniard faced American Ben Shelton in an exhibition match at Madison Square Garden in New York, before taking on Frances Tiafoe at another exhibition event in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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All exhibition events are not equal, says Wilander

The seven-time Grand Slam champion chimed in on the debate of players competing in exhibition events during the season, despite complaints that the tedious nature of the schedule.

"I think it's very positive that Carlos Alcaraz plays certain exhibitions," said Wilander. "I'm not a big fan when you're going to play an exhibition tournament where you have to play four or five matches or even three or four. But when you go to massive stadiums like Madison Square Garden, it's okay, and it's just one match.
"We're not talking about preparing four or five days before and then playing three or four matches. So the whole discussion about the schedule being too tough and too many matches having been played, I think sometimes you have to separate the exhibitions from the exhibitions. And an exhibition like going to Madison Square Garden, the experience in New York City in the fall and winter, I mean, it's a big inspiration for any artist or athlete. So I think he's done the right thing.
"Carlos Alcaraz has played two big exhibition matches in America, including the one against Ben Shelton at Madison Square Garden. This is very good. Madison Square Garden used to host the ATP Finals in the years I played. And New York is a great tennis city. So that's very positive for American tennis, positive for Ben Shelton, and it shows that Carlos Alcaraz is preparing for 2025 by playing in front of almost 20,000 people.

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"Another exhibition he played was against Francis Tiafoe. I mean, it couldn't have been more fun. The two perhaps most fun players on the men's tour that people appreciate the most are playing against each other in Charlotte, North Carolina. That's another big step for American tennis.
"You wonder what will make an American player win a Grand Slam on the men's side. And I think this is great for the American guys to learn a little bit more about what it takes to be a four-time Grand Slam champion like Carlos Alcaraz. Very positive all around."