Two-time Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz is sitting out this year's tournament due to a wrist injury, opting to recover in his hometown of Murcia, Spain. The 23-year-old Spaniard has maintained a low profile since confirming his withdrawal in May, choosing to concentrate on rehabilitation away from the spotlight.
Recovery in El Palmar
Alcaraz has found sanctuary in the village of El Palmar, known for its peaceful streets, intimate community atmosphere, and numerous vegetable patches and olive groves. The area is dotted with landmarks such as the Church of the Immaculate Conception, while dusty tracks leading to the Sierra de El Puerto provide breathtaking vistas of the Murcian landscape.
"Murcia is greatly underrated," Alcaraz said on the 'Iguales' podcast. "We've got beaches, mountains, a lovely climate and great food. There are some spectacular places."
Local Activities and Facilities
It is understood the tennis star prefers strolls at the Jardín de los Chorletes, where pathways blend Mediterranean flora and serenity. The regional food, obtained from nearby gardens, completes a welcoming experience.
Alcaraz is passionately devoted to his hometown. "There are loads of memes about Murcia, where is Murcia, what are Murcians like... because people haven't actually been there," he added.
Carlos Alcaraz Tennis City
Such is Alcaraz's affection for the region that it is now home to the Carlos Alcaraz Tennis City facility. The elite training complex is intended to establish Murcia as an international centre for tennis development. The venture focuses on nurturing young talent while strengthening the seven-time major winner's connection to his roots, as he has pledged to develop the area and generate opportunities for those within it.
He stated his goal is "to put Murcia on the map, because I love my city and my home, and that's what we're trying to convey."
Withdrawal from Tournaments
The world No. 2 pulled out of the Barcelona Open and the French Open before announcing he would be absent from this summer's Wimbledon, leaving his devoted supporters heartbroken. "My recovery is going well, and I'm feeling much better, but unfortunately, I'm still not ready to compete, which is why I have to withdraw from the grass-court swing at Queen's and Wimbledon," Alcaraz wrote on Instagram. "They are two truly special tournaments for me and I will miss them a lot. We'll keep working to come back as soon as possible."
