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
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.