Carlos Alcaraz debuted a striking new hairstyle and promptly gave towering American Reilly Opelka the chop, at the US Open on Monday night.
The 22-year-old arrived at Arthur Ashe Stadium sporting a sharp, military-style crew cut, a dramatic change from his usual look. While the new haircut drew mixed reactions, close friend Frances Tiafoe called it “terrible”, it did nothing to distract the focused Spaniard, who cruised to a 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 win in the first round.
“Today was a really difficult one,” Alcaraz said after the match. “Reilly is a great, tough player. I couldn’t get the rhythm that I wanted, but I’m really happy with what I did today. I think I played a great match.”
Alcaraz revealed the haircut was the result of a botched trim by his brother.
“My brother just misunderstood the machine, he cut it too short. The only way to fix it was to shave it all off,” Alcaraz explained with a laugh. “To be honest, it’s not that bad. Some people like it, some don’t. I’m just enjoying the reactions.”
Despite Opelka’s massive serve and 6-foot-11 frame, Alcaraz seized control early with a break in the fifth game of the first set and served it out to love. The second set was tighter, Alcaraz saved two break points to hold for 3-3, then broke in the 11th game before serving out the set.
The third set stayed on serve until the ninth game, when Alcaraz broke again to lead 5-4. On match point, a blistering forehand down the line sealed the win.
The reigning US Open champion, who won his first Grand Slam title in New York in 2022, will face Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in the second round.
AFP
