Carlos Alcaraz has defended his participation in the Six Kings Slam, suggesting the exhibition event provides a welcome break from the stresses of the ATP Tour.

Alcaraz is one of six of the biggest names in men's tennis to be competing at the highly lucrative event in Saudi Arabia this week.

The Spaniard, who has won two grand slam titles this season, faces Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals on Thursday.

However, Alcaraz comes into the event on the back of withdrawing from the Shanghai Masters, citing injury and fatigue.

And with plenty of players insisting the current schedules on the ATP and WTA Tours are unsustainable, Alcaraz has faced some criticism over choosing to then compete in Saudi Arabia.

But the 22-year-old insisted the pressure of competing on the ATP Tour is much different to playing in an exhibition.

3 HOURS TO GO
SF Alcaraz × Fritz
H2H:    4 × 1
Age:  22yo × 27yo
ATP:   #1 × #4
Titles:  24 × 10
W/L: 276–63 × 334–209

Fritz looking for his first win over the World No.1
Alcaraz aims for another final in Riyadh

Netflix#SixKingsSlam

— Six Kings Slam (@sixkingslam) October 16, 2025

"It's a different format, different situation playing exhibitions than official tournaments, 15-16 days in row, having such a high focus and demanding physically," Alcaraz said.

"We're just having fun for one or two days and playing some tennis, and that's great, and why we choose the exhibitions.

"I understand [the criticism], but sometimes people don't understand us, our opinions.

"It's not really demanding mentally [compared to] when we're having such long events like two weeks or two and a half weeks.

"I don't feel 100% and the doubts are there when I'm moving on court, but it has improved a lot, and I'm going to compete and perform well in the Six Kings Slam."