© Mike Frey/Imagn
Through the first two rounds of the 2025 US Open, there have been plenty of storylines on the court. But it’s one off-the-court storyline that seems to be stealing the show.
World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, who won his first grand slam at the 2022 US Open at just 19 years old, showed up to the 2025 event with an interesting new look. The superstar Spaniard, known as much for his suave looks as he is incredible play, threw the old No. 1 clipper guard on and cut his hair down to a really short buzzcut.
It…hasn’t been well received, with #Baldcaraz trending on social media. Alcaraz told members of the media that he didn’t intend to cut his hair that short, but that his brother made a mistake.
“My brother misunderstood with the machine. He cut it, and the only way to fix it is to shave it off,” he said. “It’s not that bad, I guess.”
Unfortunately, it is, in fact, that bad.
Tennis Pros Mock Carlos Alcaraz’s New U.S. Open Haircut
Frances Tiafoe, one of the top-ranked American players in the world and the man who lost a heartbreaking five-setter to Alcaraz to the 2022 US Open semis, didn’t hold back on his friend.
Frances Tiafoe’s reaction to Carlos Alcaraz’s new haircut at the U.S. Open
He can’t stop staring at his head.
😭😭😭😭😭😭
pic.twitter.com/PXtX1RqJq4— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 25, 2025
“I mean, it’s definitely terrible,” Tiafoe said with a laugh. “He’s my guy though. It’s funny. I looked at him and I was like, I guess you’re aerodynamic.
“Yeah, I don’t know who told him that it’s good. I don’t know who told him to do that, but it’s terrible. From a guy who gets haircuts week in, week out, and prides myself on good haircuts, it’s horrendous.
“At the end of the day, it’s Carlos, and that’s my guy. But yeah, he needs to get with me. He needs to get with me for sure.”
Women’s star Emma Raducanu, who won the 2021 US Open and has been linked to Alcaraz romantically, a rumor they’ve both refuted, was a tad kinder.
“I think Frances was harsh on him,” she said, although laughing in the process. “I think the fact that he does it with confidence & owns it … I think he pulls it off.”
Naomi Osaka Gets Poignant On Carlos Alcaraz’s New Look
While we’re now well and truly into the heart of the tournament, media members are still fascinated by the unfortunate new look for Alcaraz.
Perhaps the best answer regarding the haircut came from 2018 and 2020 US Open champion Naomi Osaka, who pointed out why it doesn’t much matter what anyone thinks about it.
Not them asking Naomi about Carlos’s hair cut in her press conference, oh baldcaraz you are so famous pic.twitter.com/0m1KQxPhOa
— Parisᥫ᭡ (@Dayasdeuce) August 27, 2025
“I saw him with hair. And then suddenly, yesterday, I saw him practicing without hair. Did he ever explain if it was a random thing?” she asked at first.
“Will his life change if I like it or not?” She went on to state. “I like people that do different things. I find things interesting if someone doesn’t do something expected. Yeah, I guess I like it. He is switching up. Maybe next time he should dye it platinum or something.”
So good on you, Carlos. Don’t let the haters get you down.