Follow us on Google Discover Carlos Alcaraz has been provided with the positive news he has needed after a challenging couple of days.
Alcaraz was beaten by Cameron Norrie at the Paris Masters, in a shock opening defeat for the world number one.
This has continued a poor record for Alcaraz at the Paris Masters, particularly when you compare it to the other ATP 1000 tournaments.
Former world number one Jim Courier pinpointed the mistakes Alcaraz made against Norrie, but he has now given the Spaniard some positive news.
Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images for Laver Cup
A lot of tennis players have recently spoken out against the tennis calendar, including Carlos Alcaraz, who received some criticism for his comments.
Alcaraz reiterated these comments ahead of the Paris Masters, claiming that something needs to change.
“Well, I don’t have an exact amount of matches that we should play,” said Alcaraz. “I mean, I can’t answer with an exact number. But obviously they have to do something with the calendar.
“The amount of tournaments that we have to play I think is too high. We don’t have such, you know, good period of time that we can practice, we can rest.
“Even during the season, I think it’s week after week after week and we don’t have the chance to have a week just to prepare pretty well the tournaments or what we have ahead in the season. But, you know, I will think about the amount of matches that we should play, and I’m gonna comment later (smiling).”
There has also been a recent announcement of a new Masters 1000 tournament in Saudi Arabia, which is set to be added to the ATP calendar in 2028.
While there has been criticism of more tournaments being added to the calendar, Courier has explained that it is actually a non-mandatory tournament for players and Alcaraz is not actually required to compete in Saudi Arabia, like he recently did for the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia.
“My reaction to that is the good news, Carlos, is that Saudi Arabia is an optional tournament that is not mandatory in the same way Monte-Carlo is as a Masters 1000,” Courier said on Tennis Channel. “So while there might be 10 starting in 2028, there are only eight that you are required to play if you want to get your multi-million dollar bonus.
“It’s a lot but is it more than when I played? It’s not. We have always been fighting like this as Tour players for shorter off seasons. But the players who are fighting for the shorter off seasons, to be really clear, are the top players.
“The rest of the players want more playing opportunities and more weeks on the calendar. They don’t have the match load that the top players have. This is a very nuanced conversation based on where you are in the rankings and what your needs and wants are.
“Alcaraz is not wrong that the requirements are a lot, but he has options. He is supposed to play those events if he wants the money. He does not have to. Keep that in mind, people.”
How many tournaments are ATP players required to play?
There are requirements on the ATP Tour for the number of events players are required to play, which amounts to a total of 16 for most players, or 17 if they qualify for the year-end ATP Finals.
This includes all four Grand Slams, assuming fit and able to play, eight of the nine current Masters 1000 tournaments and four ATP 500 tournaments, with one needing to be after the year-end ATP Finals.
The only ATP 1000 tournament which is actually non-mandatory is the Monte Carlo Masters, which Alcaraz won earlier this year.
Level of tournamentRequired number of participationsGrand SlamsAll 4Masters 1000 8 (Only the Monte Carlo Masters is non-mandatory)ATP 500 4 (One has to be after the US Open)ATP FinalsYes (If Qualified)
If players do not fulfil these requirements then it can result in them being deducted points from their ranking.
There are still over two years until Saudi Arabia introduce a new Masters 1000 tournament to the ATP Tour, but there are likely to be a lot of eyes on Alcaraz’s decision to participate.