US Open 2025: Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz debuts bold new look, Frances Tiafoe calls it ‘horrible’ | Watch

With the UP Open 2025 underway, Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz stunned the sporting world with his new buzz cut, making him almost unrecognisable. While some fans have embraced the five-time Grand Slam winner’s new look, his friend Frances Tiafoe has made it clear he is not a fan.

Last week, when Alcaraz landed in New York following his mixed doubles win in Cincinnati alongside Emma Raducanu, he sported a full head of hair. His hairstyle remained unchanged during his previous two training sessions at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre in preparation for the tournament.

However, on the day of his first-round US Open match on Monday, Alcaraz ran into Rory McIlroy during his training. The golf star reached out to rub the stubble on his freshly shaved scalp.

When McIlroy asked, “Why this?”, Alcaraz replied, “Just got a haircut that I struggled with. I mean, I had to start fresh. I like it… It’s good.”

Meanwhile, Tiafoe, who lost to Alcaraz in the US Open semifinal in 2022, said, “It’s horrible. It’s terrible. It’s definitely terrible. That’s my guy, though. Funny, I looked at him, and I was like, ‘I guess you’re aerodynamic.'”

Tiafoe’s critique didn’t end there. 

“I don’t know who told him to do that, but it’s terrible. From a guy who gets haircuts week in, week out, who prides himself on good haircuts, it’s horrendous. But at the end of the day, it’s Carlos, and that’s my guy,” Tiafoe said.

Carlos Alcaraz at US Open 2025: 

The Spaniard, aiming for his sixth career Grand Slam and second in New York, began his campaign on Monday against Reilly Opelka.

This will be his first singles outing in the Big Apple since the shock second-round exit last year against Botic van de Zandschulp.

This year, the rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz has become a major attraction at Grand Slams, as Alcaraz defeated Sinner in the French Open final, while Sinner took revenge at the Wimbledon final. Fans and analysts are expecting a third major final between the two to be one of the main storylines at the US Open.

“It’s going to be really difficult playing Opelka for the first time. We all know his game style… I have to be ready for that, have to be focused on the return,” India Today quoted Alcaraz as saying on Saturday.

“Trying to get good rhythm in the match… let’s see. The confidence is high right now.”