Carlos Alcaraz: The Tennis Player Conquering Courts and Hearts
New York – Carlos Alcaraz’s arrival at the US Open on August 25th generated an unusual stir. It wasn’t because of his rivalry with Jannik Sinner or his status as a favorite, but because of a change in his image: a new haircut. This detail, which might seem minor, captured the attention of everyone, from the players to the fans.
“It’s terrible, definitely,” commented US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe with a smile, although he added, “but he’s my friend.”
Frances Tiafoe
Over the following days, the topic of Alcaraz’s hairstyle became the center of conversations on the circuit. Even Naomi Osaka, Alexander Zverev, Emma Raducanu and Sinner himself gave their opinions on the matter. Alcaraz, true to his good humor, responded to the jokes, attributing the change to his younger brother.
Even though the haircut is already growing out, the incident revealed the popularity and affection that Alcaraz generates. It is unusual to find a player of his caliber so loved by his opponents.
The key question is: How can Alcaraz, champion of five majors and current world number two, be so feared on the court for his athleticism and grit, yet so appreciated off it?
“It’s hard to maintain that balance,” said Sam Querrey, a former Wimbledon semi-finalist and now an analyst. “Few superstars achieve it. He’s a global superstar, but he has that common person side that attracts people.”
Sam Querrey
In tennis, an individual sport, Alcaraz stands out for his closeness with his peers. A photo of him with Sinner in a Manhattan restaurant demonstrated the good relationship between the two, something that was not common among legends like Sharapova and Serena Williams.Querrey, who shared a locker room with Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, highlights Alcaraz’s ease in connecting with others, partly thanks to his command of English, which allows him to understand sarcasm and humor.
An example of his closeness is his interaction on social media and his willingness to help his colleagues. Alcaraz did not hesitate to respond to a comment from Querrey on social media, demonstrating his approachability.
Tennis player Facundo Bagnis described him as “an even better person” than a tennis player, and shared an anecdote about how Alcaraz helped him record a birthday video for a friend, demonstrating his kindness.
Even after losing to Alcaraz, players praise him. Tiafoe, after his defeat at the 2022 US Open, wished him the best and reminded him of his greatness, a gesture of mutual respect.Former tennis player Shelby Rogers reflected on whether her kindness had been an obstacle in her career, but Alcaraz has shown that it is not a problem. He has won 22 ATP titles and this Tuesday added his number 268 victory.
Alcaraz’s joy and enthusiasm are key to his success, according to Mary Joe Fernandez, ESPN analyst. His ability to smile and enjoy the game, even when the opponent plays a great point, sets him apart.
After losing the Wimbledon final against Sinner, Alcaraz applauded his rival and congratulated him, demonstrating his sportsmanship. Sinner, in turn, thanked Alcaraz for their “incredible relationship”.
Alcaraz has dominated in New York and reached the semifinals without losing a set. Next Friday he will face the winner of the match between Djokovic and Taylor Fritz. Querrey believes that, regardless of the result, Alcaraz will remain the same.
“He’s a good human being,” Querrey said. “I think it’s in his DNA, it’s who he is. He has phenomenal people around him who encourage him. I think he’ll stay the same guy. He seems to wake up every day and love life, and that energy is contagious.”
