Carlos Alcaraz Skips Wimbledon, Retreats to Murcia Home

Carlos Alcariz withdrew from Wimbledon 2026 on 15 May, citing a lingering wrist injury, and has since settled into a quiet recovery base in El Palmar, a hamlet near his hometown of Murcia.

The 23‑year‑old Spaniard retreated to El Palmar, a sleepy village dotted with olive groves and vegetable gardens. He told the ‘Iguales’ podcast that the region’s beaches, mountains and climate make it an ideal place to heal away from the tour’s glare. Daily walks through the Jardín de los Chorletes give him fresh air and a chance to stretch his arm without the pressure of crowds.

Alcaraz announced on Instagram that his wrist was still not ready for the rigors of grass‑court play. He had already pulled out of the Barcelona Open and the French Open earlier in the season, and the injury forced him to skip the Queen’s Club warm‑up and Wimbledon, two events he described as “truly special”. The decision shocked fans, as he entered the season ranked world No. 2 and a two‑time Wimbledon champion.

While recuperating, Alcaraz has been promoting the Carlos Alcaraz Tennis City, a high‑performance complex built to turn Murcia into an international training hub. The facility aims to nurture young talent and keep his legacy rooted in the region. He repeatedly emphasized his desire to “put Murcia on the map”, linking his personal recovery to a broader mission for Spanish tennis.

The wrist injury leaves his summer schedule open, but Alcaraz hinted that a return could come before the hard‑court swing in August. He posted that his rehab is progressing well and that he hopes to be match‑fit for the US Open later in the year. Until then, he remains out of competition, focusing on physiotherapy and low‑impact workouts in the tranquil countryside.

Supporters have flooded his social media with messages of encouragement, many praising the beauty of Murcia and the importance of his hometown project. Critics worry the withdrawal could affect his ranking, but Alcaraz’s team stresses that a full recovery is essential for long‑term success.

The absence of a world No. 2 at Wimbledon 2026 reshapes the draw, giving other contenders a clearer path to the title. Yet Alcaraz’s quiet months in El Palmar may prove just as impactful, as he builds the next generation of Spanish players while nursing his wrist back to health.