Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz is set to headline the inaugural Miami Invitational at loanDepot Park this December. The event falls during the off-season, and Alcaraz’s choice to compete has sparked concern among fans, with many criticizing the Spaniard’s decision.
Coming off triumphs at the 2025 U.S. Open and French Open, the six-time Grand Slam champion will headline the Dec. 8 event with three other top stars. Brazilian starlet Joao Fonseca will face Alcaraz in the event, while home favorite Amanda Anisimova will take on Emma Raducanu.
How Did the Fans React to Carlos Alcaraz’s Off Season Plans?
It has already been a packed season for Alcaraz, with multiple exhibitions lined up even during the off-season, raising concerns among fans. The world No. 1 is competing at the Japan Open and will next appear at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, before heading to the Six Kings Slam, a massive exhibition event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from Oct. 15.
Even beyond that, Alcaraz still has notable tournaments ahead, including the Paris Masters. But the string of participations doesn’t end there, as Alcaraz will still have a few appearances to make during the off-season in December. The Spaniard will face Frances Tiafoe at ‘A Racquet at The Rock‘ in New Jersey just a day before competing in the Miami Invitational.
In fact, Raducanu is also slated to compete in New Jersey just a day before, as she will face Anisimova in a best-of-three encounter.
Alcaraz will play an exhibition match against Fonseca in Miami on December 8th 🇺🇸🌴
Match format will be best of three sets with a 10-point super tiebreak in case of a tie 🎾 pic.twitter.com/MTiQUv4LTd
— Alcaraz Updates🐝 (@alcarazzupdates) September 25, 2025
Many fans reacted to this update, criticizing Alcaraz’s participation in those exhibition series. One fan took a jibe at Alcaraz’s and Raducanu’s management firm, saying:
“IMG said Emma and Carlos come as a package deal.”
IMG said Emma and Carlos come as a package deal https://t.co/vW08EqhqpC
— Vas 🐝🐦🔥🐠 CARL1TO6 (@_coverldn) September 25, 2025
“Is he broke?? That 5 million wasn’t enough??” One asked.
“he either must rlly love playing or his ass is in debt cause all these damn exhos he keeps doing 😭😭,” one chimed in.
A fan urged Alcaraz to skip exhibition events and rest, emphasizing that his focus should be on preparing for the 2026 Australian Open.
“Brother I’m begging you to REST pls just rake a break and lock in for AO26 instead no one gaf about exhos you have a GRAND SLAM to win 😭🙏,” they wrote.
However, some fans defended the World No. 1’s choice to participate in these events, with one writing:
“I might be in the minority but I have no problem with this. He seems to really enjoy himself in these exhos so if he’s happy I’m happy. Plus it’ll be fun to see him and Fonseca together,”
I might be in the minority but I have no problem with this. He seems to really enjoy himself in these exhos so if he’s happy I’m happy. Plus it’ll be fun to see him and Fonseca together https://t.co/kYYFaBChHj
— christian 🦦 (@christiatek) September 25, 2025
“He is the face of tennis he needs to bring new people to it and he is doing exactly that🫡,” a user weighed in.
The evening in Miami will feature two singles matches, each best-of-three sets with a 10-point tiebreaker if needed. The action starts with Amanda Anisimova facing Emma Raducanu, followed by Carlos Alcaraz taking on Fonseca. Unified Events and loanDepot Park co-host the event, with former professional Giovanni Lapentti serving as co-organizer.
