Carlos Alcaraz honored by Spanish royal family in ‘special and unforgettable day’

Carlos Alcaraz had a "special and unforgettable day" in his home country on Thursday: Before heading to Monte Carlo to begin his clay-court season, Alcaraz received the Rey Felipe (King Felipe) Award in recognition of his 2022 sporting achievements.

Alcaraz's history-making 2022 included becoming the first teenager to win the US Open men's singles title since Pete Sampras in 1990, and the younget man to become world No. 1. Following his New York triumph, he became the first teenager in the Open Era to end the year atop the ATP rankings.

The 20-year-old was presented his award by King Felipe VI himself at the Royal Palace in El Pardo, while other athletes received similar honors from other members of the royal family.

Paralympian Susana Rodriguez, the Tokyo gold medalist in paratriathlon, received the Queen Letizia Award, and 18-year-old baketball player Izan Almansa earned the Princess Leonor Award (named for the family's elder 18-year-old heir) for leading the Spanish under-17 team to a silver-medal at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup, its first-ever medal at the event.

The Down Syndrome Foundation of Madrid was given the Infanta Sofía Award, named for the 16-year-old royal daughter.

“We’re surrounded by great athletes in Spain in every field. Three or four years ago I wouldn’t have expected to get this award. I’m very proud of it, it’s really amazing,” Alcaraz said, per the ATP website.

Alcaraz will begin his clay-court season next week at th ATP Matr 1000 Monte Carlo Rolx Matr, which he's set to play for just the second time in his career. Although 11-time champion Rafael Nadal announced his withdrawal from the tournament on Thurday, saying "my body simply won’t allow me" to play, his younger countryman says he "can't wait" and is "really excited" to return to the principality.

“The two most recent tournaments have been really good, both in terms of my level and my state of mind," he told the ATP. "It was a shame to lose to Dimitrov [in Miami], but I left happy with how I was feeling on court.

"I’m ready to have another good clay swing.”