Former ATP pro Prakash Amritraj has highlighted the significant draw of Carlos Alcaraz on ticket sales across men's tennis events. The seven-time major champion has been sidelined since April with a wrist injury. His absence has notably reduced viewership at recent Grand Slams.
Amritraj stated on the Nothing Major Podcast that Alcaraz remains a decisive factor for organizers. “I have spoken with tournament directors, and whether he is injured or withdraws from a tournament, loses early, or reaches the final, he is such a decisive factor for the actual ticket sales of the event,” he said. “I mean, this guy is so big.”
Alcaraz has missed the French Open and Wimbledon this year. Viewership numbers for the men's semifinal and final at Wimbledon fell 10 percent and 16 percent respectively compared to the previous year, with much of the decline attributed to his absence.
Alcaraz is expected to make his comeback in Cincinnati to regain form ahead of the US Open. Organizers at other events, including the Canadian Open, have expressed concerns about attendance without top players like Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic.