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Alcaraz Defends U.S. Exhibitions After Skipping Davis Cup

He tells the AP the one-day showcases are far less demanding than a week-long tournament.

Overview

  • Carlos Alcaraz said exhibitions require only a single day of focus and pose less physical and mental strain than tour events, responding to criticism in an Associated Press interview.
  • He remains scheduled to face Frances Tiafoe in Newark on December 7 and Joao Fonseca in Miami on December 8.
  • The matches are set for the Prudential Center and loanDepot Park, non-traditional tennis venues that typically host NHL and MLB games.
  • Backlash followed his earlier withdrawal from Spain’s Davis Cup run with a biceps femoral injury, which Spain ultimately lost in the final to Italy.
  • ITF executive Ross Hutchins welcomed the added visibility from such events, as media coverage also highlighted the strong financial incentives that draw players to exhibitions.