Carlos Alcaraz will play another exhibition match before the end of the 2026 season, with João Fonseca confirming that the pair will meet in São Paulo, Brazil, on December 12.
The announcement adds another commitment to an already busy schedule for the Spaniard, who has repeatedly raised concerns about the demands placed on players by the ATP Tour calendar. Despite voicing those concerns during the Asian swing, Alcaraz is set to return to the exhibition court in December for a meeting with one of Brazil’s leading young talents.
Fonseca confirmed the match in a post on Instagram, announcing that he would face the world-class Spaniard on home soil. The two players previously met in an exhibition in Miami in December 2025, when Alcaraz came out on top at LoanDepot Park.
The upcoming encounter will give Brazilian fans the opportunity to watch Fonseca take on one of the biggest names in men’s tennis. For Alcaraz, meanwhile, it represents another addition to his commitments before the start of the 2027 season.
Alcaraz adds another exhibition after criticising ATP Tour schedule during Asian swing
Alcaraz’s latest exhibition announcement comes after he spoke openly about the demands of the tennis calendar, particularly in relation to the number of tournaments and matches players are expected to contest.
At the Shanghai Masters, the Spaniard argued that the pressure placed on players could contribute to the sport’s injury problems, criticising the direction in which the schedule was heading.
“One of the reasons we had to see the players who are getting injured, they [ATP officials] are pushing us too much out of the line sometimes to play a lot of tournaments, to play a lot of matches,” Alcaraz said.
He also addressed the issue when discussing Jannik Sinner’s decision to end his 2026 season early, expressing concern about the demands of the current calendar while wishing his rival well ahead of the next campaign. “It’s getting in the wrong direction,” Alcaraz said. “I just wish Jannik the best for these months, just to be in good shape for the next season.”
The December meeting with Fonseca adds to a season in which Alcaraz has already played exhibition tennis in South Korea and appeared at the Laver Cup. He is also scheduled to take part in the delayed Six Kings Slam in December, with appearances in Brazil and Saudi Arabia set to reduce the time available for his off-season.
Alcaraz previously explained why exhibitions can be different
Alcaraz has previously offered an explanation for why he views exhibition matches differently from the demands of a regular tournament. Speaking in 2025, he pointed to the shorter duration of these events and the different expectations placed on players.
“For me, the biggest difference is that in a tournament you have to maintain concentration, and it is demanding both physically and mentally,” he said. “An exhibition is only one day. You just have to keep your focus, warm up and train a little and only for one game. An exhibition can be interpreted in different ways.”
The Spaniard added that exhibitions can be approached either as an opportunity to entertain or as a chance to work on patterns that might also be useful in competitive matches. “You can do it just for fun, play good tennis, good blows and have fun."
"Or you can take it very seriously and use tactics and patterns to replicate them in tournaments. I will try to take these games seriously, but at the same time have as much fun as possible.”
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Alcaraz’s comments provide context for his continued participation in exhibition events despite his criticism of the ATP Tour schedule. The format can be less demanding than a multi-round tournament, although the additional commitments still occupy time during the period players would otherwise use to rest and prepare for the new season.
With the São Paulo match confirmed for December 12, Alcaraz’s schedule will include another appearance before the 2027 campaign begins. How much time he ultimately has to recover will also depend on whether he adds any warm-up tournaments ahead of the Australian Open.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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