“They don’t really want massive off-seasons”: Sam Querrey weighs in on Carlos Alcaraz’s exhibitions after schedule critiques

Former World No. 11 Sam Querrey joined John Isner to discuss Carlos Alcaraz's exhibition matches in the U.S., where the Spaniard faced Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe. Although Alcaraz had previously criticised the limited rest periods during the season, he still participated in multiple exhibition events.

Querrey, who was part of the television broadcast for both exhibitions held a week ago, shared his perspective. Alcaraz officially ended his season after Spain's elimination in the Davis Cup Finals in late November but made stops in New York and Charlotte for a pair of exhibition matches before concluding the year.

The first stop was Madison Square Garden, where Alcaraz earned $2 million by defeating Ben Shelton. The event also featured Emma Navarro and Jessica Pegula in its prelude. Two days later, Alcaraz faced Frances Tiafoe in Charlotte, headlining an exhibition that included Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens.

Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast with former colleague John Isner, Querrey shared his thoughts: “I have two thoughts,” he said. “One, you always hear about players or people complaining about the off-season being too short, and then they go and do these exhibitions – whether it’s these ones, Abu Dhabi, or the massive exhibitions they used to hold in Asia or India.”

“I think as much as players talk about wanting massive off-seasons, they don’t really want them because they want to go and make a bunch of money playing these exhibitions.”

Querrey added, “My second thought was that I was on call for both of them, and both were awesome. Madison Square Garden, Alcaraz and Ben Shelton was incredible. Over 19,000 people. Both those guys are charismatic, they have smiles on their faces, they put on a show, and the crowd was into it.”

“The same with Charlotte, where Frances Tiafoe came out in a Charlotte Hornets jersey. If anyone else did that, they’d look like an idiot, but Tiafoe pulls it off,” Querrey said, laughing. “Both events were fantastic, but having said that, I’d much rather watch a US Open third-round night match on [Arthur] Ashe than one of these exhibitions.”

Isner agreed with Querrey, adding: “I’d prefer to watch Alcaraz play a third-round match on Arthur Ashe during the US Open, but a city like New York obviously wants the best players there, so people showed up at Madison Square Garden. New York is a huge place with tons of tennis fans, so it’s not surprising it sold out.”

“Charlotte, on the other hand, I was curious to see how well that event would go, but it sold out again. I think that goes to show the star power Carlos Alcaraz has.”

In 2023, Alcaraz played a total of 67 official matches (54-13 record) and won four titles, including Roland Garros and Wimbledon, earning $9.8 million in prize money for the season. Nonetheless, the Spaniard participated in as many as five exhibition events throughout the year.

March – Played in Las Vegas ‘Netflix Slam’ V Rafael Nadal

September: Laver Cup (4 matches)

October – Played in Saudi Arabia’s ‘Six Kings Slam’ (3 matches)

December – Played in New York’s ‘Garden Cup’ V Ben Shelton

December – Played in ‘Charlotte Invitational’ V Frances Tiafoe