Carlos Alcaraz faced heavy criticism on social media last year after sharing photos from Ibiza shortly before Wimbledon. Many fans questioned whether the young Spaniard was taking his preparation seriously enough ahead of one of the biggest tournaments in tennis. The images showed Alcaraz relaxing on the famous Spanish island known for its beaches and nightlife. Despite the backlash, the reigning World No. 2 later went on to prove himself again on the court with strong performances.Recently, tennis legend Rafael Nadal was asked about Alcaraz’s decision to spend time in Ibiza after winning the French Open. Nadal strongly supported the younger Spaniard and said every athlete needs a personal way to relax and mentally recharge. The 22-time Grand Slam champion explained that he also enjoyed vacations with friends during his career and believed life should not revolve only around tennis. Nadal added that different personalities handle pressure differently, and Alcaraz’s approach appears to be helping him succeed.
Rafael Nadal supports Carlos Alcaraz’s lifestyle and recovery process
Carlos Alcaraz visited Ibiza after winning the Roland Garros title last year. The young star spent a few days on the island celebrating and refreshing himself before beginning preparations for Wimbledon. He even shared a photo alongside footballer Sergio Reguilon, which quickly became a talking point online.Speaking on CNN, Nadal defended Alcaraz from criticism. The former World No. 1 explained that every player needs balance in life and should be allowed to enjoy free time away from tennis. Nadal revealed that he also used to visit Ibiza regularly with friends during his playing career. However, he preferred to keep those moments private. He respected Alcaraz for being open about his personal life and said the current World No. 2 seems comfortable with his choices and lifestyle.Alcaraz also spoke about the trip before Wimbledon. The Spaniard explained that he spent only a few days in Ibiza and mainly wanted mental relaxation after an exhausting clay-court season. He admitted he enjoyed himself but felt the short holiday was enough before returning to serious training.Meanwhile, Alcaraz is currently dealing with a difficult injury period. The Spaniard withdrew from several major tournaments, including Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros, Queen’s Club, and Wimbledon because of a wrist problem. In a social media update, he said his recovery was progressing positively, but he still was not fit enough to compete during the grass-court season.Nadal also offered encouraging words regarding the injury setback. The Spanish legend shared that he suffered similar injuries during his own career and insisted proper recovery can prevent long-term damage. Alcaraz is now expected to return during the hard-court season before the US Open as he tries to close the rankings gap on Jannik Sinner.
