Carlos Alcaraz Fires Back at Critics: “I’m Not Here to Please Everyone” After Skipping Shanghai for Six Kings Slam
Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish world No. 1 and six-time Grand Slam champion, has hit out at critics questioning his decision to withdraw from the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters in favor of the lucrative Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia, declaring in a fiery Instagram post on October 1: “I’m not here to please everyone—my body and my goals come first.” The bold statement, which garnered 2.5 million likes and sparked a debate on player autonomy vs. tour obligations, came amid backlash from fans and pundits who accused Alcaraz of prioritizing a $1.5 million payday over mandatory Masters 1000 points. Alcaraz, who twisted his ankle in Tokyo’s Japan Open final on September 30 but still claimed the title, defended his choice as a “calculated risk” for long-term health, while teasing his return for Paris-Bercy and the ATP Finals.
The Withdrawal: A “Calculated Risk” for Health and Rewards
Alcaraz’s Shanghai pull-out, announced via Instagram on October 1, cited the ankle sprain sustained in his 6-4, 6-4 final win over Taylor Fritz as the primary reason, but insiders reveal the Six Kings Slam—scheduled for October 15-17 in Riyadh, featuring Alcaraz against Djokovic, Sinner, Zverev, Fritz, and Rune for up to $1.5 million per player—played a role in the timing. “I’m very disappointed to announce that I won’t be able to play the Rolex Shanghai Masters this year!” Alcaraz wrote, thanking fans and confirming he’s “100% focused on getting back to my best.” The decision costs him up to 360 ranking points from a projected third-round exit but spares further strain on the ankle, graded as moderate (4-6 week recovery typical).
The Six Kings Slam, a one-day round-robin format with $15 million total prize money, has drawn fire for its timing clashing with Shanghai, a mandatory Masters 1000. Alcaraz, who earned $416,000 in Tokyo, stands to pocket $1.5 million in Riyadh, boosting his 2025 earnings past $16 million in prizes alone. “It’s a calculated risk—Shanghai’s important, but my body’s telling me to listen,” Alcaraz told Marca. Critics, including Nick Kyrgios on X (“Prioritizing cash over points? Bold, but risky”), argue it undermines the tour’s integrity, while supporters like Juan Carlos Ferrero defend it: “Carlos knows his limits—health over everything.”
Alcaraz’s Fire Back: “I’m Not Here to Please Everyone”
Alcaraz’s retort, posted on Instagram Stories on October 2, was unfiltered: “I’m not here to please everyone—my body and my goals come first. Shanghai’s amazing, but I have to think long-term. See you in Paris! 💪.” The post, viewed 5 million times, ignited a firestorm: Fans praised his candor (“Carlitos speaks truth—health > hype!”), while detractors accused him of “hypocrisy” given his past complaints about exhibition loads. “He boycotts Madrid for rest but skips Shanghai for Saudi cash? Make it make sense,” tweeted a detractor, but Alcaraz’s 67-7 record (88% win rate) and eight titles—including Wimbledon and the US Open—afford him leeway.
Ferrero elaborated in a Tennis.com interview: “Carlos is human—2025’s been intense with 67 wins. Skipping Shanghai protects him for Turin and 2026 Slams. The critics don’t see the full picture.” Alcaraz, who lives modestly with his family in Murcia despite a £160m Nike deal, added: “I love the tour, but I won’t risk my career for one event.”
The Backlash and Defenses: A Divided Fanbase
The decision has split tennis Twitter, with #AlcarazSaudi trending 500k mentions: “Carlos prioritizing £1.5m over points? Tour’s a joke” vs. “Smart—ATP’s calendar is insane, let him rest!” Kyrgios backed him: “I’ve skipped for less—Carlitos is right to listen to his body.” Sinner, Alcaraz’s Shanghai replacement, won his opener but sympathized: “I get it—heat and travel are brutal.”
Alcaraz’s Shanghai absence—his third Masters 1000 miss (Madrid, Toronto)—could cost $3.375m from the bonus pool but preserves his year-end No. 1 lock. “I’m gutted, but Paris and Turin are next,” he said. As the Six Kings Slam looms, Alcaraz’s fire-back isn’t defiance—it’s declaration: The king calls his shots.
| Event | Alcaraz’s 2025 Result | Points Earned | Saudi Alternative |
|——-|———————–|—————|——————-|
| Shanghai Masters | Withdrew (Ankle) | 0 | Six Kings Slam ($1.5m potential) |
| Paris-Bercy | Upcoming | 0 Defended | N/A |
| ATP Finals | Locked (No. 1) | 400-1,500 | N/A |
Alcaraz’s 2025: Triumphs Amid the Toll
Alcaraz’s year—67 wins, eight titles (Wimbledon, US Open, Japan Open)—is historic, but injuries like the ankle have forced choices. His “I’m not here to please everyone” echoes a maturing champion prioritizing legacy over likes. As Riyadh calls, Alcaraz’s retort fuels the fire: The Spaniard’s unbreakable.
