Carlos Alcaraz poked fun at his ‘terrible’ US Open buzzcut as he showed off a hilarious new look – and teased a future hairstyle to come after making a promise before Sunday’s final.
The newly minted US Open champion looked a world away from his usual hirsute self when he stepped onto court for his first-round match against Reilly Opelka two weeks ago, having had the closest of shaves shortly after his appearance in the tournament’s new-look mixed doubles competition with Emma Raducanu.
Alcaraz’s haircut set the tennis world alight as fans scrambled to work out why the Spaniard had decided to make the change on the eve of the final Grand Slam of the 2025.
The 22-year-old later revealed that it had been his brother Alvaro who had wielded the clippers, after an initial disaster that required a no-holds-barred correction.
‘My brother misunderstood with the machine he cut it,’ Alcaraz told reporters after beating Opelka. ‘And the only way to fix it is to shave it off.’
‘To be honest, it’s not that good. Its not that bad, I guess.’
Carlos Alcaraz transformed himself with a radical new haircut ahead of the US Open – courtesy of a mistake by his brother Alvaro (pictured)
The lack of hair did little to slow him down as he claimed his second US Open championship
Whether aesthetically pleasing or not, the haircut certainly didn’t act as a jinx, with Alcaraz beating long-term rival Jannik Sinner in four scintillating sets to claim both his second title in New York, and the world No 1 ranking.
Sharing a rotation of pictures from his time in the Big Apple, Alcaraz shared behind-the-scenes snaps of his brother mid-shave, as well as edited photographs mocking his radical transformation.
One of them even showed off a bold new look – a blonde, shoulder-length wig that he appeared to be trialling in the back of a taxi.
Ahead of last weekend’s final, Alcaraz had hinted that an even greater change to his hair could yet be in play.
When asked what he might do to his hair to celebrate, the six-time Grand Slam champion grinned and said: ‘(Something) even better. Even better. You will see. You will see. Surprise. Surprise.’
Among the pictures was one of Alcaraz – back in the hands of his regular Murcia-based barber Victor – appearing to be bleaching his hair blonde under aluminium foil.
Alcaraz has returned home to Spain after a hectic 48 hours on the heels of his landmark win in Flushing Meadows.
Poking fun at his new look Alcaraz showed off an entirely different style as he sported a wig
The 22-year-old also hinted at an even more permanent transformation as he posed in foils
Alcaraz had previously been enjoying his win alongside fellow champion Aryna Sabalenka
The two-time Wimbledon champion kicked off his celebration tour with a trip out on the town, where he was joined by celebrities including Cardi B and Jamie Foxx and models at an exclusive after-party at Meatpacking District haunt Chez Margaux.
He then took in the morning-show circuit alongside fellow champion Aryna Sabalenka – where the Belarusian four-time Grand Slam winner accidentally referred to him by the name of his rival Sinner in amusing scenes.
After filming a TikTok with the social media-savvy star, he posed with his trophy in a champion’s photoshoot in the heart of the city.
Alcaraz will return to the United States at the end of the month, to take part in the Laver Cup in San Francisco as part of Team Europe.
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Carlos Alcaraz sports hilarious new look after making US Open promise following reveal of ‘terrible’ buzzcut