Carlos Alcaraz’s New Haircut Sparks Conversation at US Open

Carlos Alcaraz’s new buzz cut has become a topic of discussion at the US Open. The Spanish tennis star revealed that the unexpected hairstyle change resulted from his brother’s mishandling of clippers just before the tournament. During his first-round match on September 4, 2023, Alcaraz defeated American player Reilly Opelka with a score of 6-4, 7-5, 6-4, advancing smoothly to the second round.

In a press conference following his match, the 22-year-old shared the story behind his cropped look. “I felt like my hair was really long already, and before the tournament, I just really wanted to get a haircut,” Alcaraz explained. “Suddenly, my brother misunderstood with the machine. He just cut it. Then, the only way to fix it was just to shave it off. To be honest, it’s not that bad, I guess.”

Earlier this year, Alcaraz had flown his barber, Victor Martinez, from Spain to Paris to achieve a fashionable fade during the French Open. However, he noted that arranging a similar service in New York was not feasible. The new buzz cut has drawn mixed reactions from fans and fellow players alike. “Some people like it, some people don’t like it,” he remarked. “To be honest, I’m just laughing about the reaction of the people. It is what it is.”

Alcaraz approached the criticism with humor, acknowledging that he was unaware if the haircut would enhance his speed on the court. “Every time that I get a haircut, in two or three days it’s gone,” he said. “In three days, you’re going to see another hairstyle.” This lighthearted take reflects his attitude toward the unexpected change.

Among the notable comments regarding Alcaraz’s new look was from American world number 17 Frances Tiafoe, who called the haircut “horrendous.” Despite Tiafoe’s own closely cropped style, Alcaraz playfully dismissed the criticism. “Frances is lying. Frances is lying,” he laughed. “No, come on? He showed up here saying that it is terrible? I know he’s lying. I know he likes the haircut. He likes it. He told me.”

As Alcaraz continues his campaign at the US Open, the buzz surrounding his haircut adds an extra layer of intrigue to his matches. The young athlete remains focused on his performance, but it is clear that the light-hearted commentary surrounding his appearance is not lost on him.

With the tournament still underway, fans will have to wait and see how Alcaraz’s hairstyle evolves alongside his pursuit of another Grand Slam title.