The Spaniard took a trip to the United States, where Alcaraz played Ben Shelton at Madison Square Garden in an exhibition event.

Alcaraz then traveled to Charlotte to play Frances Tiafoe in another exhibition, as his fame and notoriety continued to grow around the world.

These events have been heavily scrutinized in 2024, with many criticizing players for participating in exhibitions, whilst simultaneously complaining about the ‘busy’ tennis schedule.

One tennis legend has had his say on Alcaraz’s participation in exhibitions this week and told him what he doesn’t want to hear him say in the coming months.

Andy Roddick doesn’t want to hear Carlos Alcaraz complain about fatigue at the Australian Open

Speaking on his Served with Andy Roddick podcast, the former world number one revealed whether he thinks it’s hypocritical for players to complain about the busy tennis schedule whilst playing exhibition events.

“I get the criticism of don’t complain [about the tennis schedule] and then go play exhibitions, I’m not going to tell you that’s wrong, because I think it too,” said Roddick.

“An example that pops into my mind and I don’t want to fire strays at this guy because I love him.

“I think he’s phenomenal, I think he’s a responsible citizen, but like Casper [Ruud] went and did that week in South America with Rafa [Nadal], and got off to a slow start.”

Ruud played several exhibition events with Nadal in 2022, before falling out of the world’s top ten in 2023.

Roddick then weighed in on Alcaraz and his decision to play in recent exhibition events.

“Carlos [Alcaraz], let’s say it how it is, he finished December 6, he had a vacation in the Caribbean with some buddies for a week before he played these exhibitions,” he said.

“He’d already done his relaxation, got in some reps, obviously got paid a lot of money.

“What other time would we tell somebody to not do their job for a massive pay check, we’re adults, it’s a business.”

He was keen however, to warn Alcaraz not to make certain complaints at the Australian Open, after playing off-season exhibition events.

“What I don’t accept is ‘Hey, I didn’t have a long enough off-season’,” said Roddick.

“I don’t want to hear about it in Australia if he’s not feeling great, that’s it, I don’t want to hear about it.”

Can Carlos Alcaraz complete the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open?

The Career Grand Slam is one of the toughest achievements in tennis, and something that only eight ATP players have accomplished.

It involves winning all four Grand Slam titles during your career, something that Alcaraz can complete next season.

Following Rafael Nadal’s retirement from tennis, Novak Djokovic is now the only active ATP player to have completed the Career Grand Slam.

Having won the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open, Alcaraz only needs a win in Melbourne to complete the set, but things haven’t gone quite to plan down under so far in the Spaniard’s career.

• 2021 – Lost in 2R to Mikael Ymer
• 2022 – Lost in 3R to Matteo Berrettini
• 2023 – Missed due to injury
• 2024 – Lost in QF to Alexander Zverev

Yet to reach the semi-finals at the Australian Open, Alcaraz will be hoping to get his hands on the trophy for the first time in 2025.

The 2025 Australian Open is set to begin on January 12.

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