Rennae Stubbs: "Hard to Take Him Seriously When He Plays Exhibitions Instead of Shanghai"
In her latest podcast, Rennae Stubbs, former world No. 1 in doubles and now a respected voice in global tennis, surprised many by openly criticizing the behavior of the Spanish player.
For months, Carlos Alcaraz has been denouncing the ATP schedule as "far too intense," citing a need for rest to preserve his mental and physical health. This stance has been applauded, especially in a sport where injuries are frequent. It is for this very reason that the young prodigy withdrew from the Shanghai Masters 1000, one of the biggest events of the season's end.
But here's the catch: despite this declared break, the Spanish player signed up for three lucrative exhibitions within a few weeks. The "Six Kings Slam" in Riyadh, "A Racquet at The Rock" in Newark against Frances Tiafoe, and then the "Miami Invitational" against young Joao Fonseca. No ATP points, but millions at stake.
Stubbs, clearly taken aback by this double standard, finds it amusing:
"He wants to lighten the schedule, but he's playing exhibitions in the Miami suburbs? That really makes me laugh. Again, I love Carlos. But he literally signed up for every exhibition at the end of this season. It's a bit inconsistent."
