(VIDEO) Carlos Alcaraz enjoys beach football in Portugal as wrist recovery continues after Wimbledon exit

Carlos Alcaraz is continuing his recovery from a right wrist injury that has disrupted a significant portion of his 2026 season. The world No. 2 has been absent from two of the sport’s biggest events, Roland Garros and Wimbledon, following medical advice after initial assessments confirmed the issue required rest.

His absence has reshaped the top end of the men’s tour during both the clay and grass swings, where he has been a multiple-time champion in recent seasons. This year’s Roland Garros, in particular, has been described as more open than usual in his absence, with the two-time champion missing from the draw while recovering from injury.

This weekend, Alcaraz was seen in Comporta, Portugal, where he spent time with a group of friends. During his stay, he was also filmed playing beach football without visible wrist protection, continuing a relaxed recovery period away from formal training environments. The visit comes amid an extended break from competition following the injury sustained earlier in the season.

There is still no confirmed return date for Alcaraz, although it is understood he will remain out for at least the next six weeks. Following his withdrawal from Wimbledon, his potential comeback is expected to depend on his readiness for the North American hard-court swing, with the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Masters seen as possible return events ahead of his US Open title defence.

Alcaraz confirmed at the end of April that he would not compete at Roland Garros, where he was due to defend his title. The decision followed medical examinations on his right wrist, with both player and team opting for caution despite his status as defending champion, having won the tournament in 2024 and 2025.

Shortly afterwards, he also withdrew from Wimbledon and the ATP 500 event at Queen’s Club in London. Wimbledon had been one of his strongest tournaments in recent years, with titles in 2023 and 2024 and a final appearance in 2025, where he lost to Jannik Sinner. His absence removed one of the key rivalries from the grass-court season.

The injury occurred during the Barcelona ATP tournament in a match against Finland’s Otto Virtanen, where Alcaraz was forced to retire. That match marked the beginning of his current recovery phase and subsequent withdrawal from the rest of the tour schedule.

While sidelined from competition, Alcaraz has maintained a relatively low-profile recovery period. His appearance in Comporta, a coastal town in the municipality of Alcácer do Sal, reflects reduced competitive intensity rather than a return to structured training at full load. Reports indicate this is not his first visit to Portugal, as he has previously travelled there during breaks between tournaments.

Questions remain regarding his competitive trajectory for the remainder of the season, particularly in relation to the ATP rankings race at the top of the men’s game. Extended time away from competition has made it difficult for him to maintain pressure on Jannik Sinner in the battle for No. 1.

Alcaraz remains a multiple Grand Slam champion at just 23 years old, having completed the Career Grand Slam earlier in his career. However, the current focus has shifted towards long-term physical management rather than short-term tournament objectives, with the priority placed on full recovery before returning to elite competition.