5 tennis stars who played the most off-season exhibitions in 2025 ft. Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka

Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka were among the most dominant players on their respective tours in 2025. The former won eight titles from 11 finals this year, including two Majors, while the latter snagged four titles from nine finals, including the US Open.

After a long year on the road, many players opt to unwind during the relatively short off-season. However, a few players can't keep themselves away from tennis for too long.

Exhibition events offer players the perfect opportunity to test themselves in a stress-free manner, and also give fans a chance to get a taste of action in an otherwise dry period. Here's a look at five players who took part in the most exhibition events in 2025 off-season:

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#5. Jessica Pegula

Jessica Pegula participated in two exhibitions during the off-season. She started with A Racquet at the Rock on December 7 in New Jersey, and then headed to Florida for the Miami Invitational on December 8. She wasn't even signed up to compete in the first place, stepping in for the injured Emma Raducanu after the latter's withdrawal.

Pegula lost both of her singles matches to Amanda Anisimova, though she did team up with Carlos Alcaraz to win the mixed doubles in Miami. Anisimova's exhibition count also stood at two events, competing in the same tournaments as Pegula.

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#4. Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka at the Garden Cup 2025. (Photo: Getty)

Naomi Osaka also competed in a couple of exhibition events in December. She started off with the Atlanta Cup on December 6, going up against fellow four-time Major champion Aryna Sabalenka. The match went the distance, though it didn't end in Osaka's favor, who lost 6-3, 4-6, 10-4.

Osaka squared off against Sabalenka once again at the Garden Cup on December 8, which was held at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York. The Belarusian had the last laugh once again, winning 6-4, 7-5 this time. Fans will be hoping for the two to lock horns on the WTA Tour in official matches next year. They've crossed paths only once so far, en route to Osaka's triumph at the US Open 2018.

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#3. Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz copped considerable flak for announcing his decision to partake in multiple exhibitions after criticizing the long season on the ATP Tour. Nevertheless, he persisted with his plans and participated in the Racquet at the Rock and the Miami Invitational earlier this month.

Alcaraz went down to Frances Tiafoe at the Racquet at the Rock, who sneaked past him 10-7 in the tie-break. The Spaniard was tested by teen phenom Joao Fonseca at the Miami Invitational, and pipped him 10-8 in the deciding tie-break.

Alcaraz isn't done with his exhibitions just yet. He will head to Seoul, South Korea to take part in another one before the Australian Open 2026. He will face Jannik Sinner in the Hyundai Card Super Match on January 10. He will also take part in the One Point Slam as a part of the activities lined up by the Australian Open organizers.

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#2. Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka at the Battle of the Sexes 2025. (Photo: Getty)

Aryna Sabalenka kept herself occupied with three exhibition events in December. The Atlanta Cup was the first pit stop for her, followed by the Garden Cup. She beat Naomi Osaka on both occasions, first in three sets and then in straight sets.

However, it was her most recent exhibition that garnered the most media coverage. Sabalenka took on Nick Kyrgios in the latest edition of the Battle of the Sexes on December 28. The Aussie won the match 6-3, 6-3, fighting back from a break down in the second set.

There was negative buzz surrounding the contest since the news of the same broke a couple of months ago. Critics wondered about the need for yet another Battle of the Sexes in today's climate, which wouldn't advance the cause of women's sports in any significant manner. Neither player paid any heed to the naysayers. Both defended their choice to participate in it, and stated it would bring more attention to tennis.

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#1. Nick Kyrgios

Nick Kyrgios was the busiest player during the off-season, taking part in one exhibition event after another. He took on Ben Shelton in the Atlanta Cup, losing to the American in two tight sets. He didn't taste success in his next outing either, going down to Tommy Paul in three sets.

Kyrgios then arrived in India for the fourth edition of the World Tennis League. He was a part of Team Kites, and paired with Marta Kostyuk, Ankita Raina, and Dhakshineswar Suresh. They went on to win the title by beating Team Eagles in the final.

The Aussie then headed to Dubai for the Battle of the Sexes against Aryna Sabalenka. He continued his winning ways, toppling the women's World No. 1 6-3, 6-3. While he wasn't at his best physically, that didn't stop him from outfoxing Sabalenka.

Edited by Rohit