Carlos Alcaraz's 2025 season came to an end when he picked up a hamstring injury at the ATP Finals and was forced to withdraw from this week's Davis Cup Finals. The world No. 1 is still signed up to compete in two exhibition events in America next month, however, and he's now been warned over rushing back into competition too soon.

Tennis icon Jimmy Connors joked that it was "money-making season", with some players commuting to lucrative exhibition matches. Emma Raducanu, however, was meant to join Alcaraz at the friendlies in Newark and Miami, but has since withdrawn after suffering a minor foot injury.

Alcaraz is set to face Frances Tiafoe at 'A Racquet at The Rock' at the New Jersey Prudential Centre on December 7. A day later, he'll take on teenage sensation Joao Fonseca for the first time in their careers at the Miami Invitational. They'll also team up with Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova for a mixed doubles 10-point tiebreak.

But the Spanish star is currently recovering from a thigh injury he picked up during the championship match at the ATP Finals, which cost him the opportunity to represent Spain at the Davis Cup this week. "I have an edema in the hamstring of my right leg, and the medical recommendation is not to compete," Alcaraz announced.

Retired tennis star Connors has now questioned whether the six-time Major winner is making the right call by jetting to America for two exhibition events instead of recovering and preparing for the 2026 season.

The record 109-time title winner hosts a podcast with his son, Brett. On the latest episode, Brett said: "It will be fun to see how those guys go into the new year. Let's see how many exhibitions Carlos Alcaraz plays in the next month... It's the money-making season."

Former world No. 1 Connors replied: "Yeah, it's the money-making season, like you haven't made enough anyway! More is better. It's going to be interesting to see. Do they force it and play more exhibitions and go into the Australian [Open] tired?

"You know they'll say, I've been travelling, I've been doing this, and I play too many exhibitions, too many specials. You can make a lot of money, but then you're losing the second round of Australia."

It's not known how much Alcaraz is making for the two friendlies, but he reportedly made six figures after competing in two other exhibition matches State-side at the end of 2024. While the world No. 1 still looks set to compete in Newark and Miami, British star Raducanu decided not to take any risks - despite missing out on lucrative appearance fees.

The world No. 29 was expected to face Wimbledon finalist Anisimova in the two matches but has been replaced by Pegula. Raducanu suffered light bone bruising in her right foot and is now preparing for a pre-season training block with her coach, Francis Roig.