When Carlos Alcaraz stepped onto the courts for his US Open first-round match against Reilly Opelka, it wasn’t just his blistering forehands or booming serves that caught everyone’s eye—it was his brand-new look.
The usually shaggy-haired Spaniard surprised fans with a freshly shaven head, sparking chatter across the tennis world.
During a light practice session alongside his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz kept running his hand over his smooth scalp, almost as if he himself was still adjusting to the change.
Adding to the buzz, Masters golf champion Rory McIlroy was spotted courtside, exchanging warm greetings with Alcaraz before he got back to fine-tuning his strokes.
Interestingly, the haircut comes right on the heels of his success in Cincinnati, where Alcaraz teamed up with Britain’s Emma Raducanu in the mixed doubles and also lifted the Cincinnati Masters trophy in singles. Fans couldn’t help but notice—he looked like a completely different person.
Why Did Alcaraz Shave His Head?
So, what’s behind this drastic style switch? Alcaraz himself explained it in simple terms: he’d been struggling with his old haircut and decided it was time for a reset. In his own words, he wanted a “fresh start”—a symbolic move that fans immediately latched onto.
A clip of the Spanish sensation revealing his reasoning quickly went viral, fueling debates online about whether the new look might also mark the start of a new era in his career.
Alcaraz explains the new haircut to Rory McIlroy. pic.twitter.com/60qA5hPOuD
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 25, 2025
A Player With High Hopes in New York
Last year’s US Open wasn’t kind to Alcaraz—he bowed out early in the second round, an unusually early exit for someone of his caliber. But 2024 has been a different story altogether.
Fresh off a Roland Garros crown and a Wimbledon final, Alcaraz is being touted as one of the clear favorites to lift the trophy in New York once again.
Currently sitting at No. 2 in the ATP rankings with six titles this season and a stunning 54–6 win-loss record, the 21-year-old is brimming with confidence.
He’s determined not only to reclaim the US Open title he first won in 2022 but also to fend off threats from rivals like Jannik Sinner, who many believe could spoil the party.
Spotlight On and Off the Court
There’s no denying that Alcaraz’s haircut has become a talking point in its own right. Some fans see it as a practical decision—shorter hair, less sweat, easier maintenance.
Others believe it’s a mental reset before the grueling fortnight in New York. Either way, the buzz around his look has added an extra layer of excitement to his US Open campaign.
As he takes on Opelka in his opener, tennis fans will be watching closely—not just for the fireworks in his game but also to see how his “new chapter” unfolds.
Final Thoughts
Carlos Alcaraz is no stranger to the spotlight, whether it’s for his audacious drop shots or his record-breaking achievements at such a young age.
But this time, it’s his off-court decision that has people talking. A simple haircut, yet it feels like so much more—a statement, a reset, and perhaps even a bit of superstition before one of the biggest tournaments of the year.
One thing’s for sure: whether with long curls or a clean shave, Alcaraz continues to prove that he’s here not just to play but to dominate.
And if his new look is any indication, fans might just be witnessing the beginning of an even bolder chapter in his already glittering career.
