Patrick Mouratoglou questions the approach of Grand Slam champion when coming to schedule management

Now back competing, Carlos Alcaraz will target the biggest titles and accolades the ATP Tour has to offer. However, a sense of caution surrounds the seven-time Grand Slam who had spent over four months away from the action before a contentious US Open return ended at the quarter-finals stage. Former coach Patrick Mouratoglou has shared his views on Alcaraz not playing as much in the future, lamenting the decision.

The Spaniard had been someone who was used to playing a lot of tournaments. Regularly featuring in the Grand Slam and Masters 1000 tournaments, he would also fit in a number of ATP 500 events. However, these may take a back seat with the 23-year-old not wanting to spawn another injury concern.

His latest setback came at the Barcelona Open, in which he found himself out of action for a very long time. A convincing return at the US Open hushed a number of sceptical critics with a five-set classic against Ben Shelton, where his title defence would ultimately end.

The signs look good. He was quick to find his old level of dominance while improving throughout the rounds with the best-of-five format not troubling him too much. He will continue to improve throughout the Asian swing, but first the Laver Cup is his focus.

While his recent complaints over his schedule may contradict him playing in this exhibition tournament, Alcaraz has made the Laver Cup a firm fixture on his calendar over the last few years, getting a lot of enjoyment from representing Team Europe.

With tennis tournaments becoming more regular and gruelling with the extended Masters 1000 events not helping, players are taking matters into their own hands. Health is being prioritised by many, including Alcaraz despite still being so young.

After his second round win in New York, some comments he made showcased the direction he was heading. "Given the packed schedule, I obviously didn't want to stop because of an injury," he said. "However, in the future, I will take breaks, longer breaks. Maybe not four months, but one or two months, skipping certain tournaments, because it's impossible to play them all."

Mouratoglou, who used to coach the likes of Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Stefanos Tsitispas and Naomi Osaka, among others, criticised this decision. “Carlos said there are too many tournaments and that he wants to focus on the most important ones,” Mouratoglou wrote on LinkedIn. "He is 22. When you’re 22, you play. There are moments when he doesn’t feel like it, I understand that, and it’s important that he addresses it, because Carlos is Carlos when he’s inspired."

He explained the need to find balance on court in terms of how much he plays. The opposite could happen where he comes into an event under-prepared and faces the consequences of that. “Inspired, he’s probably the best player in the world, and that excitement has to stay alive all season," he continued. "But he also needs matches. To keep developing his tennis, and to arrive physically ready at a Grand Slam, which he could not do here. Enough to be ready, not so many that he arrives empty. That balance is thin, and it’s his to find."

Up next following the Laver Cup in London is the Asian swing. The first stop is the Japan Open, where Alcaraz defends his title in Tokyo before the Shanghai Masters, one of three Masters 1000 events he has never won. The Paris Masters and ATP Finals culminate the year, two other events that have happened to be somewhat elusive for the World No.3.

Mouratoglou stressed the importance of playing on the Asian swing. “Nobody can blame him for this US Open: he was injured," he added. "What comes next is a choice. I don’t know how high his motivation is to go to Asia but I think he needs matches. After this US Open, it’s important for him to keep playing. I’m not saying he should play every week, but at least the big tournaments. I’d like to see him play at least two tournaments in Asia and two indoors before the end of the season and he should aim to win them."

The big one is the ATP Finals. Alcaraz reached the final of that event for the first time last year, losing to Jannik Sinner in straight sets. “There is also a title he has never won: the ATP Finals, the eight best players in the world in one event. After so many months away, that is exactly the hunger I want to see,” the Frenchman concluded.