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Even though Carlos Alcaraz has not played a competitive tennis match since April, he is taking time out of his rehabilitation schedule to cheer on his home country Spain in the World Cup finals in New Jersey this afternoon. Ahead of the match, he and South Korean actress and model Hoyeon presented the Louis Vuitton trophy trunk containing the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy.
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Hoyeon and Alcaraz.
Maddie Meyer – FIFA//Getty Images
Alcaraz carries the trunk.
Alcaraz is one of numerous celebrities in attendance at New York New Jersey Stadium (better known as MetLife) for the Spain versus Argentina game. He’s a big soccer fan, and frequently roots for Real Madrid and Spain. After Spain won their semifinal, he posted on X, “Viva España!!!”
Rafael Nadal, another famous Spanish tennis player, shared on social media yesterday, “Ever since I was little, soccer has been one of my great passions. I’ve always enjoyed playing, watching matches, and supporting our national team. I can still remember the thrill of living in South Africa for the 2010 final. We’ll never forget it! Tomorrow we have another chance to enjoy one of those matches that make history against a national team and a country that I respect and admire greatly. Best of luck, @SEFutbol Let’s go, Spain!” It’s unclear if Nadal is in attendance today as well, but he has not been spotted in New Jersey. Nadal’s uncle, Miguel Ángel Nadal, represented Spain in three World Cups.
Nadal and Alcaraz represented Spain together at the 2024 Paris Olympics. “The Olympic Games are every four years and it’s a special tournament where you’re not only playing for yourself, but for a country, representing every Spaniard,” Alcaraz said at the time.
Alcaraz is expected to make his return to tennis at the Cincinnati Open in mid-August, a lead-up tournament to the U.S. Open. He will also likely look to defend his title at the U.S. Open. “I hope he’ll be ready for the American tour,” retired Spanish player Garbine Muguruza told Eurosport France. “His injury is complex. The wrist is made up of small bones, so it has to be handled with extreme care. He needs to control his impatience and anxiety about when he’ll return. We players feel a lot of pressure to come back quickly, for fear of losing our place. He needs to be smart and take his time.”
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.