In the quiet town of El Palmar, Murcia, the air buzzed with warmth and joy as tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz marked his 22nd birthday on May 5, 2025. Surrounded by his parents, Carlos and Virginia, and his brother Jaime at the Murcia Tennis Club, the world No. 3 paused his rigorous training to soak in the love of his family. The celebration, intimate yet heartfelt, came just days before his much-anticipated return to the Italian Open in Rome, a pivotal moment in his 2025 clay court campaign. For Alcaraz, this was more than a birthday—it was a grounding ritual, a reminder of the roots that keep him anchored amid the whirlwind of professional tennis.
The scene was quintessentially Alcaraz: unpretentious and family-centered. At the Murcia Tennis Club, where he honed his skills as a child, Carlos shared laughter and cake with those closest to him. He posted a snapshot of the moment on Instagram, captioning it, “Lucky 🍀 22 🥳,” a nod to his optimism and gratitude. His brother Jaime reshared the post, adding a sweet message in Spanish: “Feliz cumpleaños Carlitos❤️❤️🥳.” The simplicity of the gathering belied the magnitude of Alcaraz’s achievements. At just 22, he boasts four Grand Slam titles, including the 2024 French Open and Wimbledon, and a silver medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics. Yet, in Murcia, he was simply “Carlitos,” the son and brother, not the global superstar.
This birthday celebration carried extra weight as Alcaraz prepared for his comeback at the Italian Open, set to begin on May 9. The past few weeks had tested his resilience. A right adductor injury and a left hamstring issue forced him to withdraw from the Madrid Open, a tournament he holds dear for its home-crowd energy. “I was talking with my team, with the doctors, to see if I would be able to arrive to play in Madrid in good condition. I did everything possible to be able to play … But I wasn’t able to improve things enough,” Alcaraz had said, his disappointment palpable. The injuries, sustained during a hard-fought Barcelona Open final against Holger Rune, underscored the physical toll of his aggressive, all-court style. Yet, his decision to prioritize recovery reflected a maturity beyond his years. “We took the decision not to take risks for the future,” he added, eyeing Rome and the French Open, where he is the defending champion.
Alcaraz’s return to Rome is laden with anticipation. Last year, a forearm injury sidelined him from the tournament, and in 2023, he suffered a stunning third-round loss to qualifier Fabian Marozsan. This time, as the third seed, he has a bye into the second round, where he’ll face either Yoshihito Nishioka or Jan-Lennard Struff. With Novak Djokovic absent and Jannik Sinner returning from a doping suspension, the Italian Open offers Alcaraz a chance to reclaim the world No. 2 ranking and build momentum for Roland Garros. His recent triumph at the Monte-Carlo Masters, where he defeated Lorenzo Musetti to secure his sixth Masters 1000 title, proves he’s ready to dominate on clay. “It has been a really difficult win, with a lot of difficult situations,” he said after Monte-Carlo, hinting at the mental and physical hurdles he’s overcome.
The birthday festivities weren’t just a personal milestone but a strategic pause. Alcaraz, who often speaks of missing home due to the grueling tennis calendar, cherishes these moments of normalcy. “When I finish a tournament, it doesn’t matter if I win or not, I just want to get home to be with my family,” he once told reporters. His team, including coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and new addition Samuel López, surprised him during a practice session with a rendition of “Happy Birthday,” bringing a wide grin to his face. Fans on social media hailed the gesture, with one writing, “Seeing Carlitos smile like that after everything he’s been through is everything.” The video of the celebration went viral, a testament to Alcaraz’s universal appeal.
As he boarded a flight to Rome on May 6, Alcaraz carried more than just his Babolat racquet and Nike gear. He carried the love of his family and the hopes of a nation. Spain, still reeling from Rafael Nadal’s retirement, sees Alcaraz as its new torchbearer. His candidness about mental health—admitting to feeling “nervous the whole day” before matches or struggling to “control myself when faced with problems”—has endeared him to fans who see his humanity beneath the accolades. With the Italian Open looming, Alcaraz’s 22nd birthday was a moment to recharge, to remind himself why he plays. As he steps onto the red clay of Rome, the tennis world watches, knowing that “Carlitos” is ready to write the next chapter of his extraordinary story.
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