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Ronaldo reveals unfortunate outcome of tennis session with Carlos Alcaraz

Originally posted on HITC | By Filipe Guedes | Last updated Apr 2, 2026 1:27 PM ET

Ronaldo Nazario’s presence at major tennis events has become a familiar sight.

The Brazilian icon has long followed the sport closely, often attending high-profile tournaments such as this year’s Miami Open.

His status in football gives him unique access. A two-time World Cup winner and one of the greatest forwards in history, Ronaldo has built relationships across multiple sports.

That crossover recently produced an unexpected story. What began as a casual practice session with Carlos Alcaraz turned into a moment he is still feeling months later.

Ronaldo reveals lasting impact after practice session with Carlos Alcaraz

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Ronaldo shared that he has been dealing with shoulder inflammation since November following a friendly match with Alcaraz.

Speaking to CazeTV, he said: “It was great. I still have an inflammation on my shoulder. It was in November. I played with him for 30 minutes.

“He was calm, and, in the end, I told him to speed up a bit. And I put up with it. The exchange was good. He was hitting heavy balls.

“Two days later, I arrived in São Paulo. I couldn’t greet anyone. No kidding. I even posted it on Instagram, I think, putting ice on my shoulder.

“It was really cool. He’s super charismatic, super nice. Very simple. Very cool. It says a lot about the champion he is.”

The episode highlights the physical intensity of facing an elite tennis player, even in a short session and for someone who is a former high-profile athlete.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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