'Terrible' or 'not that bad'? Carlos Alcaraz responds to Frances Tiafoe's haircut ridicule as Spaniard dons new look at US Open
Updated 26/08/2025 at 10:29 GMT+1
Novak Djokovic's Lacoste jacket, Jack Draper's Rafael Nadal-esque sleeveless outfit, and Carlos Alcaraz's buzz cut. There have been plenty of new looks among the ATP stars at this year's US Open, but it is the world No. 2's shaven head which has - by some distance - sparked the most conversation. Frances Tiafoe, in particular, had some strong words to say about Alcaraz's new look.
Highlights: Alcaraz opens US Open account with win over Opelka, Muchova defeats Williams
Video credit: TNT Sports
Rather than on-court drama, it has been Carlos Alcaraz's new hairstyle which has stirred some of the most contentious conversation so far at this year's US Open.
If not for a trademark all-action performance to down Reilly Opelka in straight sets on Arthur Ashe, match-going fans could have been forgiven for thinking Alcaraz may have been an unknown qualifier with his shaven-headed look taking many aback - most notably his friend on tour, Frances Tiafoe.
"Yeah, it's horrible," the American said. "It's terrible.
"I mean, it's definitely terrible. He's my guy though. It's funny. I looked at him, and I was like, I guess you're aerodynamic.
"Juan Carlos 'Mosquito' was laughing. He was like, Yeah, he's faster than he already was. I was like, well, that's a problem.
"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."
As seemed to be the natural order of proceedings, haircut chat dominated Alcaraz's press conference following the victory over Opelka. The world No. 2 revealed he was getting a haircut from his brother, before a wrong turn meant the only solution was to resort to a buzz cut.
"I mean, it was just I felt like my hair was really long already, and before the tournament I just really wanted to get a haircut.
"Suddenly, my brother just - he misunderstood with the machine. He just cut it. Then, you know, the only way to fix it is just shave it off. It's just what came, this haircut.
"To be honest, it's not that bad, I guess."
Despite his new look being unintentional, Alcaraz refuted Tiafoe's claims that it looked "terrible".
"Frances is lying," Alcaraz said. "Frances is lying. No, come on. I saw the video. He showed up here saying that it is terrible.
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"I know he's lying. I know he likes the haircut. He told me. So no, [don't] hear anything coming from his mouth."
It was a different appearance but very much the same Alcaraz in his first-round straight-set victory over Opelka, with the Spaniard zipping around the court in his textbook fashion, giving very little for the American to work with, and holding all of his service games to wrap up the win in a little over two hours.
He joked he felt "faster" without the weight on his head, and insisted he does not place any importance on his hairstyle.
"Every time that I get haircut, in two or three days it's gone," he said. "I feel angry sometimes, because I just feel like I cannot enjoy my haircut that much time.
"I think it is not a bad thing truly. It's just, in three days you're going to see another hair[style]."
Alcaraz added: "Some people like it. Some people don't like it. To be honest, I'm just laughing about the reaction of the people.
"It is what it is. I can't do anything else right now, so I'm just laughing about everything that they are talking about my haircut."
Alcaraz, hunting a sixth Grand Slam title and a second at Flushing Meadows, faces Mattia Bellucci in the second round.
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