Carlos Alcaraz has called on tennis authorities to confront what he described as an increasingly congested calendar, warning that the demands placed on leading players are contributing to fatigue and a growing risk of injury.

The Spanish star, who has recently returned from a four-month absence caused by a wrist problem, said he intends to take a more selective approach to his tournament schedule as he seeks to protect his body and extend his career.

Alcaraz said the physical demands of competing across a long season, often involving travel between continents and limited recovery time, can leave players vulnerable when they are expected to feature at the sport’s biggest events while also meeting commitments on the ATP Tour.

The 23-year-old is among the latest high-profile players to raise concerns about workload in men’s tennis, where the season runs for most of the year and includes four Grand Slams, Masters events, team competitions and a packed programme of tour-level tournaments.

His comments come after an enforced four-month break, a period that kept him away from competition while he recovered from the wrist injury. Although the lay-off was frustrating, Alcaraz said it had also underlined the importance of rest and recovery in a sport where players are frequently judged by how often they compete.

He now plans to miss selected tournaments and create longer breaks between events, rather than attempting to maintain a full schedule throughout the campaign.

“For me, the priority has to be staying healthy,” Alcaraz said, stressing that players need adequate time to recover physically and mentally between tournaments.

The former world number one argued that the conversation should not focus only on individual choices by players, but on whether tennis as a whole is structured in a way that safeguards athletes. He said top players can feel pressure to play regularly because of rankings, mandatory events, commercial obligations and fan expectations.

A crowded calendar can be especially difficult for the game’s leading names, who often progress deep into tournaments and therefore spend more time on court than lower-ranked players. Long matches, changing surfaces and frequent travel can add to the physical strain over the course of a season.

Alcaraz’s decision to reduce his workload could affect his ranking opportunities, particularly if he chooses to miss events where valuable points are on offer. However, the Spaniard believes a longer-term approach is necessary after experiencing the impact of injury first-hand.

His stance is likely to revive debate over player welfare, tournament scheduling and whether the sport needs a more coordinated calendar. Tennis has faced repeated criticism in recent years over the number of mandatory events and the difficulty players face in balancing competition with recovery.

For Alcaraz, the message is clear: success cannot come at the expense of fitness.

Having returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, he is determined to manage his schedule carefully, even if that means sacrificing appearances at some tournaments.