Alcaraz To Play Another Exhibition Despite Previous Complaints About Schedule
News
Carlos Alcaraz has played many exhibitions in recent months, and that will continue in 2025 after another exhibition with Frances Tiafoe was announced.
Alcaraz competed at the Six Kings Slam exhibition in October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune were the other men who participated.
Sinner defeated Alcaraz to win the largest paycheck in tennis history: $6 million. The Italian insisted afterward that he does not play for money and only decided to play in the exhibition to test himself against great players.
Some doubt Sinner is sincere in those remarks. By contrast, Alcaraz admitted that the money on offer played a significant role in his decision to compete at the lucrative exhibition. Each man who featured received $1.5 million just for appearing.
Alcaraz also participated in two exhibitions in the United States this month. The Spaniard defeated Ben Shelton at Madison Square Garden but lost to Tiafoe in Charlotte after a very entertaining battle.
His decision to play in so many exhibitions is controversial among some because Alcaraz complained about the length of the tennis calendar throughout 2024, claiming he wanted to spend more time at home.
ATP president Andrea Gaudenzi made that point when asked about the length of the tennis season. The Italian reminded fans that players are independent contractors and could choose to play fewer exhibitions if they wanted.
However, Taylor Fritz defended Alcaraz against that criticism. He believes exhibitions should not be compared to the intensity of ATP tournaments and Grand Slams and argues that they can be relaxing for players.
While opinions differ about whether Alcaraz should complain about the tennis calendar if he is going to play so many exhibitions, it does not seem like the 21-year-old will change his approach anytime soon based on a recent announcement.
Alcaraz and Tiafoe are scheduled to play in another exhibition together in Puerto Rico on March 2nd, 2025. It will be the second edition of the "Battle of the Legends," first played in Puerto Rico in September 2023.
The first Battle of the Legends featured home hero and Olympic gold medalist Monica Puig against the seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams. Puig won that exhibition, which was played in front of over 18,000 spectators.
Although she will not be playing, Puig has been confirmed as the second Battle of the Legends presenter. She outlined her excitement about presenting the exhibition in front of her home fans.
"Being the presenter of this great event with 'Carlitos' Alcaraz, whom I consider a tennis legend at such a young age; and one of the best friends in this world, Frances Tiafoe, whom I have known for many years, I like him."
"I think it's going to be a very good, very nice and very entertaining match.I will be an ambassador for this great event, and letting the public of Puerto Rico know that they need to buy this box office because it is going to be an incredible game."
If the match between Tiafoe and Alcaraz is even half as good as the quality they produced in Charlotte, fans in Puerto Rico will be treated to a wonderful contest.
