New York witnessed more than just top-class tennis on Monday night as Carlos Alcaraz stormed into the second round of the US Open and debuted a daring new look that had fans talking as much as his performance.
The 22-year-old Spaniard delivered a commanding 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 victory over American Reilly Opelka at Flushing Meadows, but it wasn’t just his clean hitting that turned heads. Alcaraz, known for his trademark black locks, surprised spectators by stepping onto court with a freshly shaven head – a style that quickly became the night’s hot topic.
Tiafoe comes off court and gets his first look at the new cut for Carlos 👀 pic.twitter.com/fxPCggV5Zz
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 25, 2025
Crowd Loves It, Tiafoe Doesn’t
Alcaraz acknowledged the buzz during his on-court interview, playfully asking fans for their verdict. “Do you like it, guys?” he quipped, earning loud cheers in response. Clearly, New York was on board with the bold change.
Not everyone was impressed, though. Frances Tiafoe, a good friend and regular rival of the Spaniard, didn’t hold back when asked for his opinion after his own first-round win. “It’s definitely terrible,” Tiafoe said with a grin. “I don’t know who told him to do that, but it’s terrible. He’s my guy, though.”
Alcaraz, unfazed, laughed off the criticism and fired back in jest: “Frances is lying. He told me he likes it. I know he does.”
A Haircut Gone Wrong
The real story behind the buzzcut, however, had nothing to do with fashion statements. Alcaraz revealed it was the result of a haircut mishap involving his brother.
“My hair was getting long and I wanted a trim before the tournament,” Alcaraz explained. “But my brother misunderstood with the machine and just… cut it. The only way to fix it was to shave it all off. It’s not that bad. Hair grows back in a few days anyway.”
Despite the light-hearted drama, the Spaniard’s focus remains firmly on the tournament. He will next face Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in the second round, aiming to avoid a repeat of last year’s shock early exit and to replicate his 2022 title run.
For now, Alcaraz is taking the attention in his stride, smiling at the mixed reactions.
