Carlos Alcaraz won his first singles match in four months, but viewers couldn’t help but be distracted by his nipple.
The defending champion made a triumphant return in New York, having missed the French Open, Wimbledon and the North American hard court swing due to a wrist injury.
But instead of his swashbuckling 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over fellow Spaniard Roman Safiullin being the talking point, it was his wardrobe malfunction.
Many viewers at home were distracted by his nipple popping out of his brown Nike tank top during his dominant display.
His outfit, which was a collaboration with Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack Nike brand, couldn’t contain his chest at various points of the game, which had the tennis world in raptures.
You can watch Alcaraz’s wardrobe malfunction in the player above.
Former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard, who is working for host broadcaster ESPN, wrote on X: “Love you Carlos, but we’ve got to put the nip away”.
Tom Jones said: “Alcaraz with his nipple out ripping 90+mph forehands, yeah give him the trophy now”.
The Tipsy Tourist added: “Round 1 win and nipplegate, Carlitos is really back.”
Others joked he was sponsored by the “free the nipple movement” and that “Nike knew what they were doing”.
Alcaraz will face Portuguese star Jaime Faria in the second round after the World No. 72 beat Jenson Brooksby in a war of attrition over five sets.
Originally published as ‘Put it away’: Tennis world loses it at Carlos Alcaraz nip slip