Article by Luminița Paul – Published on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, 22:16 / Updated on Tuesday, 26 May 2026 22:17
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz (23 years old, world number 2), the untitled Roland Garros champion who cannot defend his title due to an injurysaid at an event in Murcia that it was frustrating to see his opponents compete.
Absent from the pitch since April due to an injury to his right wrist, Carlos Alcaraz she made her reappearance on Tuesday in Murcia at the “Princesa de Girona CongresFest” event, meeting the King of Spain, Felipe VI. He also spoke about the injury, but without giving details about its nature or a possible return date.
After the tournament in Monte Carlo, where he lost to him in the final Jannik Sinnerthe Iberian headed to Barcelona to compete in the ATP 500 event. During the first match played and won against the Finn Otto Virtanen6-4, 6-2, received medical attention.
Initially it was thought that it was something manageable, but the injury has a significant gravity, Alcaraz being forced to cancel his participation in Madrid, Rome and Roland Garroslater and at Queen's and Wimbledon.
The former world leader shared at the event in Murcia a very personal reflection on the situation he is in and sent some messages to the young people present in the Víctor Villegas Auditorium.
Carlos Alcaraz: “It's frustrating, I'd like to participate but I can't”
The seven-time Grand Slam champion admitted that this period he is going through away from competition is particularly difficult for him. “It's frustrating” Alcaraz testified. “From home I watch the results, I see my rivals competing and the tournaments I want to participate in, but I can't“, he said, quoted by Sport.
Despite this pressing inconvenience, this year's Australian Open winner tried to keep a positive view of the situation and assured that he is confident that this break will make sense in the future. “Everything happens for a reason. I think it's destiny and that life will prepare something for me when I come back. Something nice, I hope“, he stated.
Carlos Alcaraz at Madrid 2026, wearing a splint on his right hand Photo: Guliver/GettyImages
During the discussion, Alcaraz insisted several times on the importance of patience and perseverance, two values that he considers fundamental both in sports and outside of it. “At 14 I had no patience at all. I wanted today's things for tomorrow, I always wanted to win,” he recalled. “But the process is beautiful.”
Carlos Alcaraz: “Now I appreciate the little things more”
The Spaniard also explained that one of the key elements of his development was keeping intact the daily enthusiasm to improve. “What motivates me is going to the field or the gym every day with a huge desire to give my best,” he emphasized. “I thank that me of six or seven years ago for doing his best every day“.
Now I appreciate the little things more: being at home with family and friends, doing something fun, I really value them now. When you're in competition, you don't realize how important the simple and small things are – Carlos Alcaraz
The message from Carlos Alcaraz to young people 💭
“Think big, dream big, go for it with passion” pic.twitter.com/eowvvkd1NF
— Alcaraz Updates🐝 (@alcarazzupdates) May 26, 2026
During his speech, he also had words of thanks for his family, which he considers essential in his personal and professional development.
While he again admitted that Rafael Nadal has always been his great role model, he specifically emphasized the support he received at home since childhood. “They never forced me to play. They always gave me the freedom to choose and that helped me a lot to continue to enjoy what I do“, confessed Alcaraz.
