Carlos Alcaraz has revealed a mistake by his brother as the cause of his dramatic haircut at the US Open.
The Spanish star shocked fans and rivals alike when he turned up to Flushing Meadows with a buzz cut on Monday.
Alcaraz had been seen just a day earlier with a full head of hair, but debuted the new look in the warm-up before facing American rival Reilly Opelka.
The five-time Grand Slam champion earned a straight sets 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 victory over Opelka, before being quizzed on his new look in the on court interview.
‘I’ve got to ask to the people if they like the new haircut or not. Do you like it guys? I think they like it,’ Alcaraz said on court to cheers.
In his post-match press conference, Alcaraz admitted a mistake by his brother when cutting his hair on the eve of the tournament had led to the decision to shave it all off.
Carlos Alcaraz debuted a new haircut during his first-round match at the US Open
Alcaraz explained his new look to Rory McIlroy after he spoke to him before his first round
Frances Tiafoe appeared stunned by Alcaraz’s haircut, which he later labelled ‘terrible’
‘I felt like my hair was really long already and before the tournament I said that I really want to get a haircut,’ he said.
‘Suddenly my brother just misunderstood with the machine. He just cut it and the only way to fix it is just to shave it off
‘To be honest it’s not that good, it’s not that bad I guess.’
The Spaniard typically has his own barber Victor, but confirmed duties switched to his brother Alvaro with New York considered too far for him to fly.
Alcaraz had earlier received a brutal assessment of his new look from Frances Tiafoe, with the American appearing shocked when seeing him for the first time in the warm-up area.
‘It’s definitely terrible,’ Tiafoe said. ‘He’s my guy though. It’s funny,
‘I looked at him and I was like, “I guess you’re aerodynamic”. 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.’
Alcaraz gave a light hearted response when asked about Tiafoe’s remarks, stating ‘Frances is lying, Frances is lying. No, come on.
”I saw the video, he showed up here saying that it is terrible. I know he’s lying. I know he likes the haircut. He likes it. He told me. So no, not hear anything about coming from his mouth.’
The former US Open champion was spotted with a full head of hair just two days earlier
Alcaraz revealed his brother Alvaro, left, had been responsible for his newly shaved head
One of the first people to offer their thoughts on Alcaraz’s new look was Rory Mclroy, who had met him on the Queens court during the warm-up.
Within seconds of the interaction starting between the men, the Northern Irishman pointed out Alcaraz’s hair.
‘Why this?’ McIlroy said, pointing at Alcaraz’s head.
‘Just got a haircut that I struggled with. I mean I had to start fresh,’ Alcaraz responded.
‘Yeah, good. I like it. It’s a good look,’ McIlroy added.
Then both men gushed over each other, with the five-time major winner saying he was a big fan of the 36-year-old McIlroy.
McIlroy continued by saying the duo should golf together sometime, with Alcaraz happy to hear he could get a lesson from one of the best in the world, as he couldn’t recreate his swing.
The Northern Irishman returned the compliment by saying he could not perform Alcaraz’s signature backhand.
Alcaraz is among the favorites to win the men’s singles title at tennis’ final major of the year, as he has appeared in the championship match of the last two, splitting a pair of results with world No 1 Jannik Sinner.
