The season is not yet over for Carlos Alcaraz with two exhibitions lined up for Spaniard

Carlos Alcaraz will return to the court on December 4 against Ben Shelton in an exhibition match at Madison Square Garden, New York. Just two days later, he will play a second exhibition in the US, this time at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, facing American Frances Tiafoe.

The 4-time Grand Slam champion will be the main attraction in both exhibitions, which will also feature women’s matches as opening acts. Alcaraz played his last official match of the season just a week ago during the Davis Cup Finals, where he defeated Tallon Griekspoor in Spain’s tie against the Netherlands. However, Spain was eliminated after Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers lost their doubles match against Botic Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof.

Despite a demanding season, Alcaraz remains committed to exhibition events. Although his official competitive calendar is closed until 2025, the 21-year-old is using his free time to fulfil commitments to exhibitions scheduled months ago in the US.

The first exhibition, part of the Garden Cup, will take place this Wednesday, December 4, at Madison Square Garden, where Alcaraz will face World No. 21 Ben Shelton. The two have met twice before, with both matches going to the Spaniard—first at the 2023 Canadian Open and later at the Laver Cup a few months ago. Earlier that day, Emma Navarro (World No. 8) and Jessica Pegula (World No. 7) will open the event with a showdown between top American female stars.

Two days later, Alcaraz will travel over 500 miles (around 800 km) to Charlotte to compete in The Charlotte Invitational, an exhibition match against Frances Tiafoe at the Spectrum Center. Alcaraz leads their head-to-head 2-1, with Tiafoe’s sole victory dating back to the 2021 Barcelona Open when Alcaraz was still outside the top 100. This event will also feature a women’s match, a rematch of the 2017 US Open final between Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys.