'Terrible': Watch Frances Tiafoe's hilarious reaction to Carlos Alcaraz's accidental haircut
(Courtesy : @usopen/Twitter)
Carlos Alcaraz is aiming for his second US Open title having won it previously in 2022.
ATP World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz started his US Open 2025 campaign in style on Monday night, seeing off the tall Reilly Opelka in straight sets. But it wasn’t just the straight sets win that had the crowd on its feet — it was his brand-new buzz cut, a look that Frances Tiafoe found ‘horrendous’.
The Spaniard stunned fans when he appeared on the practice courts only hours before the match sporting a freshly shaved head. The bold change quickly became the night’s talking point, overshadowing even his smooth 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 win over Opelka.
Close friend and fellow star Frances Tiafoe didn’t hold back when asked about Alcaraz’s makeover.
“Yeah, it’s horrible. It’s terrible,” Tiafoe said with a laugh as quoted by the Tennis.com. “I guess he’s aerodynamic now. Juan Carlos [Ferrero] was cracking up saying he’s even faster — and that’s a problem.”
In a now viral video, Tiafoe can be seen standing and staring in awe at Alcaraz’s head in the gym at Flushing Meadows. His hilarious reaction left fans laughing.
Tiafoe went further, poking fun at Alcaraz’s fashion gamble. “I don’t know who told him to do that, but it’s terrible. From a guy who gets haircuts week in, week out, and prides myself on good cuts, it’s horrendous.”
“At the end of the day, it’s Carlos — that’s my guy. But yeah, he needs to get with me for sure.”
Meanwhile, not everyone was as harsh. Golf legend Rory McIlroy, fresh from the Tour Championship, was courtside in New York to watch Alcaraz. The two were seen chatting, sharing laughs as McIlroy got a close look at the Spaniard’s new style.
McIlroy, who recently shaved his own head asked Carlos, “Why this?”.
“Just got a haircut that I struggled with. I had to start fresh,” the 2022 US Open champion replied. “Yeah, good. I like it. It’s a good look,” said McIlroy.
To mark the occasion, Alcaraz celebrated his victory by mimicking McIlroy’s golf swing before pointing to the Masters champion in the stands.
Alcaraz also later revealed that the new hairstyle was thanks to his brother mishandling the clippers while giving him a trim prior to his opening match in the tournament. His buzz cut was the “talk of the town” on the second day of the championships.
“I felt like my hair was really long already, and before the tournament I just really wanted to get a haircut,” he told reporters.
“Suddenly just my brother just—he misunderstood with the machine. He just cut it. Then, the only way to fix it was just to shave it off. To be honest, it’s not that bad, I guess.”
What is Carlos Alcaraz’s new haircut at US Open 2025?
Alcaraz has sported a new ‘buzz cut’ before his first match at Flushing Meadows.
Why is Carlos Alcaraz’s new haircut getting so much attention?
Alcaraz’s new buzz cut is getting attention due to it being an accidental mishap during a trim by his brother. It has led to lot of discussion among fans, players and the media at US Open and has received mixed reactions.
How did Frances Tiafoe react to Carlos Alcaraz’s new buzz cut?
Tiafoe jokingly called it “horrendous” and “terrible,” but admitted it was all in good fun since Alcaraz is a close friend.
What did Rory McIlroy think of Carlos Alcaraz’s haircut?
Roy McIlroy approved, telling Alcaraz “I like it, it’s a good look.” The two were seen chatting courtside after the match.
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Uzma Fatima is a passionate sports journalist who believes every match has a story waiting to be told. Whether it's the grace of Olympic champions, the grit of tennis and badminton battles, or the drama of cricket’s highs and heartbreaks — she loves capturing the emotion behind the action. Off the field, she’s a Formula 1 enthusiast who never misses a race weekend.
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