An Unexpected Image Change

Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz shocked fans and colleagues before his debut at the US Open 2025. The world No. 2 showed up on the practice courts with a “marine” buzz cut, a drastic change that didn’t go unnoticed in the locker room.

Alcaraz explained the reason for the haircut during a conversation with golfer Rory McIlroy, who is in New York for the tournament. “I just cut my hair and it’s hard, but I have to start from zero,” the Murcian admitted, looking for a fresh start at a tournament he knows well and where he has already lifted the trophy.

The transformation went beyond just the haircut. The player also shaved off the beard he had sported in recent weeks, completing a radical makeover as he heads into his fifth US Open with the clear goal of reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking.

Criticism and Jokes Around the Tour

Not everyone approved of Carlos Alcaraz’s new style. American player Frances Tiafoe didn’t hold back, telling the press: “It’s horrible. Terrible. I don’t know who told him it was okay, but it’s a disaster. Still, he’s my guy… though clearly he needs me to give him some advice.”

Tiafoe joked that the first thing he thought when he saw the Spaniard was that he was now “more aerodynamic,” a comment that drew laughter from coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, known as “Mosquito.”

Despite the criticism, others like Rory McIlroy praised Alcaraz for his bold move just before such a big tournament. According to Feliciano López on ESPN, it was actually the player’s older brother, Álvaro, who grabbed the clippers and gave him the haircut.

A US Open With New Motivations

Beyond the chatter about his look, the reality is that Carlos Alcaraz is determined to put recent struggles behind him and focus on reclaiming the US Open title while chasing the top spot in the rankings. His first challenge will be against American Reilly Opelka, a matchup that promises plenty of excitement right from the start.