Carlos Alcaraz splits from Grand Slam prize money campaign as injury forces rethink over tennis calendar
ATPMonday, 07 September 2026 at 19:00
Carlos Alcaraz has reportedly withdrawn from the group of leading players campaigning for a greater share of Grand Slam revenues, a significant development involving one of tennis' biggest stars. But after spending almost five months away from the sport with a wrist injury, the Spaniard's recent comments suggest that another issue has become increasingly important to him: the demanding nature of the tennis calendar.
According to The Times, Alcaraz is no longer part of the group of top players pushing the four Grand Slams for a larger share of their revenues. The seven-time Grand Slam champion had originally been among the signatories alongside Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, making his reported departure a notable blow to the campaign.
The reasons for his decision have not been publicly explained. However, The Times reported that Alcaraz's camp is now focusing particularly on concerns surrounding the congested ATP calendar, an issue the Spaniard has repeatedly addressed since returning from his lengthy injury layoff.
And his return itself has so far offered a remarkable contrast. Alcaraz is already into the US Open quarterfinals in his first tournament for almost five months, winning four consecutive matches without dropping a set and looking increasingly like the leading candidate to defend his title.
Alcaraz leaves player revenue campaign
The players' movement has spent around 18 months seeking structural changes from the Grand Slams. Among their demands was a target for players to receive 22 percent of tournament revenues by 2030, alongside improved welfare provisions and greater player representation in the decision-making process.
The campaign became increasingly public during the clay swing, with leading players shortening media commitments as a symbolic protest. Alcaraz, however, was absent from those discussions on court after his wrist injury forced him to miss Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
His reported withdrawal now comes while Sinner, Sabalenka and other leading figures continue supporting the movement. According to The Times, the campaign itself will continue despite losing one of its most recognisable names.
For Alcaraz, though, the experience of being forced away from tennis appears to have sharpened his thinking about how much professional players are being asked to compete.
'It's impossible' to play everything
Speaking after his victory over Tommy Paul in the fourth round, Alcaraz again addressed the increasingly packed schedule and made clear that he does not see himself playing every major tournament indefinitely. “I think they are adding more important tournaments. You know, in a way they are making us play.”
The Spaniard pointed to the accumulation of Grand Slams and mandatory Masters 1000 events, warning about the physical consequences for players attempting to meet every obligation.
“We'll be playing 40 weeks if we have got to play every mandatory tournament that the ATP requires us to, so it's impossible, and we are seeing a lot of players getting injured, a lot of players getting tired.”
His own season is an obvious example of the risks involved. Alcaraz did not choose his four-month break, but he has said that the experience convinced him that voluntary breaks will become part of his future career management.
“I'm going to take some breaks, some long breaks. Maybe not four months, but one month, two months, missing some tournaments, because it's impossible to play them all.”
Perfect return, but bigger tests await
For now, Alcaraz has returned in almost ideal fashion. He defeated Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in his latest match and will face eighth seed Ben Shelton in Tuesday's quarterfinal after the American overcame Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets.
The defending champion has looked exceptional throughout his first week back and has yet to concede a set, putting himself firmly among the leading favourites in New York. Yet the toughest part of the tournament is only beginning, and Alcaraz has not yet been tested in a long match or pushed to five sets since returning from injury.
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That uncertainty remains. But Alcaraz's US Open campaign has already demonstrated that his level is back. The bigger question, perhaps, is whether the injury-enforced absence that brought him here has also changed how he intends to manage the rest of his career.
For a player who wants to compete for another 10 or 15 years, his reported decision to step away from one of tennis' biggest political battles comes as his own attention increasingly turns towards a simpler concern: making sure his body lasts long enough to do exactly that.
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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