Juan Carlos Ferrero defends Carlos Alcaraz's decision to play an exhibition match ahead of Indian Wells - "They help to relax a little"
ATP
Former World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz has faced the ire of fans for his frequent participation in exhibition matches, and the Spaniard is set to compete in another exhibition match this weekend. Nonetheless, Alcaraz's coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, believes his these matches are beneficial to his ward.
Alcaraz has appeared in several exhibition matches over the last few months. The World No.3 competed at the Six King Slams event in October last year, before participating at exhibition events in New York and Charlotte during the off-season in December.
Read also
Playing exhibition matches helps Alcaraz relax, says Ferrero
The reigning Wimbledon champion has received backlash for his decision to play exhibition matches during the grueling ATP season, with former World No.1 Andy Roddick hinting at this being the reason why Alcaraz suffers early round exits.
However, Ferrero came to his ward's defense, stating that despite it being an exhibition match, Alcaraz still plays at a high intensity during these matches while keeping a relaxed state of mind.
“Exhibitions help to relax a little; the game is played in a different way,” said Ferrero in an interview with El Nuevo Dia. “In the end, it’s played at a very high level of intensity, and playing this kind of match, with a bit more smiling and entertainment for the spectators, always helps to relax a bit."
Read also
Alcaraz will face American Frances Tiafoe in an exhibition match in San Juan, Puerto Rico this Sunday. Despite the Indian Wells ATP Masters event taking place a few days later, the Spaniard revealed his excitement at competing in front of a Spanish-speaking crowd.
"It’s nice that people speak Spanish,” commented the world No 3. “It will be nice to hear your support. The times I’ve played in front of a Latino audience have been incredible. Every time I live it, it’s a unique experience!”
Growing up in a household where soccer was king, my earliest memories are filled with chants from packed stadiums and the rhythm of a ball being passed across neighborhood streets. But somewhere along the way, the quiet elegance and raw emotion of tennis pulled me in. What began as a curiosity became a lifelong passion; not just for the sport itself, but for the stories it tells: of grit, of heartbreak, of improbable comebacks and human resilience.
As a tennis writer, I bring the observational lens of someone who didn’t grow up in the sport, but fell in love with it as an outsider; a perspective that lets me see both its technical beauty and its emotional depth. Over the years working with TennisUpToDate, I’ve had the privilege of reaching more than 3.5 million readers worldwide, with one of my features ranking among the site’s top three articles.
With a background in storytelling and a creative mind always searching for meaning beyond the scoreboard, I aim to craft narratives that go deeper than results and rankings. Whether it’s a rising star breaking through or a veteran fighting off Father Time, I try to capture the heartbeat behind the headlines.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026 - Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.
mandoist31-10-2026









