Carlos Alcaraz Shocks Fans with Bold New Haircut Ahead of US Open
Carlos Alcaraz knows how to make a statement, and this time, it wasn’t with his racket.
The Spanish tennis sensation unveiled a dramatic buzz cut just hours before stepping onto the court at Flushing Meadows for his opening match of the US Open. Fans were quick to notice.
Only days earlier, the 22-year-old was seen in New York training with his trademark flowing locks. It’s a look that’s been part of his rise from promising teenager to global tennis star. But when he arrived on Monday, all that hair was gone.
The change raised eyebrows, not least because Alcaraz has never tinkered much with his style since bursting onto the professional scene.
Alcaraz’s new look didn’t go unnoticed by another sporting great. Golf legend Rory McIlroy dropped by during the Spaniard’s pre-match warm-up and immediately clocked the transformation.
Frances Tiafoe’s reaction to Carlos Alcaraz’s new haircut at the U.S. Open
He can’t stop staring at his head.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 25, 2025
“Why this?” McIlroy asked, pointing at Alcaraz’s head. “Just got a haircut that I struggled with. I mean I had to start fresh,” replied Alcaraz. “Yeah, good. I like it. It’s a good look,” McIlroy nodded.
The light-hearted exchange sparked laughter between the pair. What followed was a show of mutual respect—two world-class athletes joking about each other’s strengths and weaknesses. McIlroy admitted he couldn’t replicate Alcaraz’s backhand, while Alcaraz confessed his golf swing was hopeless.
Style aside, the Spaniard remains one of the most dangerous players in the draw. A former champion in New York, Alcaraz enters this year’s tournament as one of the favourites, having contested the last two Grand Slam finals.
His recent duels with world No.1 Jannik Sinner have cemented their rivalry at the very top of men’s tennis.
For now, though, it’s the haircut making waves. And in a city that thrives on reinvention, Alcaraz has served up a bold new image before a ball was even struck.
