Carlos Alcaraz Gets Honest About Skipping Roland Garros During Surprise Appearance with King Felipe
In Murica, Spain today, King Felipe attended the proclamation ceremony for the 2026 Princess of Girona Award for Research at the Víctor Villegas Auditorium and Congress Center. Carlos Alcaraz made a surprise appearance at the end of the “Talent Tour” ceremony, which promotes young talent as a driving force for change; the tennis player was interviewed on stage by Santiago Quintanilla and María de Paco to discuss the “values of sport.”
During the interview, Alcaraz spoke about missing the French Open due to a wrist injury, calling it “frustrating.” He said, “From home, I’m watching the results, I’m watching my rivals compete, the tournaments I’d love to be participating in but can’t.” But, in his recovery, Alcaraz said he is focusing on the “little things” and trust that “life will have something in store for me when I return, something beautiful, I hope.”
Casa de S.M. el Rey
Alcaraz on stage.
Consistency, Alcaraz noted, is one of the key values of his career. “To try and give your best,” he said, according to Murica Startup. “In my case, what motivates me is going to the tennis court or the gym every day with the tremendous enthusiasm to try and give my best to improve and see that reflected on the court.”
He also gave advice to the young people in the audience, telling them to be patient. “At 14, I had zero patience. I wanted things done overnight, I always wanted to win, but the beautiful thing is the process… Think big, dream big, go for it with enthusiasm and enjoy the process. Whatever happens, whether you succeed or not.”
After the event, he posed with King Felipe and the participants in the fifth stage of the Tour del Talento.
Emily Burack (she/her) is the Deputy Digital Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, celebrities, the royals, and a wide range of other topics. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms.
