Carlos Alcaraz Thanks King Felipe VI for Support After Tough Wimbledon Final Loss to Sinner

Royal Support Shines Bright at Wimbledon 2025

The tennis world was buzzing during the 2025 Wimbledon men's final, but it wasn't just about the game on the court. All eyes were also on the Royal Box, where Spain’s King Felipe VI was spotted next to an array of British royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales plus their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Carlos Alcaraz, Spain’s tennis sensation, faced off against Italy’s Jannik Sinner in a match that had everyone glued to their seats, but what happened after was just as meaningful for fans back home in Spain.

Alcaraz didn’t pull out a win this time—Sinner came out on top—but the young Spaniard made a point to thank King Felipe VI in front of the world. His public shoutout wasn’t just about politeness or tradition. It showed just how much real, personal backing from the monarchy matters to the 22-year-old. This wasn’t the first time the King’s presence had made a splash on Centre Court. Back in 2023, Felipe cheered on Alcaraz when he clinched his first Wimbledon title, a memory that still stands out for both champion and country.

Carlos Alcaraz and the Meaning of Royal Encouragement

When athletes thank dignitaries, it can sound a bit routine. With Alcaraz and King Felipe VI, though, there’s something genuine going on. Even last year—when the King couldn’t attend—the Spanish royal household blasted out a congratulatory message online, calling Alcaraz’s win a 'perfect blend of courage and talent.' That message hit home, especially for a player carrying the weight of national expectation.

This year, King Felipe returned to Wimbledon for the final after a two-year gap. His choice to be there, sitting front and center as Alcaraz battled Sinner, was a headline in Spain before the match even began. For the young tennis star, royal support has become something of a lucky charm, a reminder that he’s not playing just for himself. Alcaraz said after the match that seeing the monarch in the Royal Box gives him a "boost," and it’s clear he means it. "It inspires me to push harder," he explained, echoing the gratitude he expressed after his 2023 victory, when he grinned and told reporters, "It’s always special to have the King behind you."

In Spain, where tennis has become a source of serious national pride, King Felipe’s regular presence at major matches speaks volumes. Folks back home catch every reaction shot, every subtle nod of encouragement. That symbolic seal of approval doesn’t go unnoticed, and for Alcaraz, who’s quickly becoming a household name, it turns games into moments of shared national celebration—or, in this case, collective resilience after a tough loss.

The connection between the Spanish monarchy and its top athletes isn’t new, but Alcaraz and the King have definitely built something unique. Royal support isn’t changing the result on the scoreboard, but it’s giving a new generation of tennis hopefuls something to believe in. And for Alcaraz, the knowledge that his country—and his King—are rooting for him, win or lose, is as valuable as any trophy.

• Carlos Alcaraz lost to Jannik Sinner but won praise for his sportsmanship and sense of gratitude.
• King Felipe VI watched his protégé from the Royal Box after missing last year’s final, making his presence felt.
• This public show of support is fast becoming a tradition and a talking point in Spanish sport.
• Royal encouragement isn’t just symbolic—it’s fueling one of tennis’s brightest young careers.