Carlos Alcaraz won the Cincinnati Open after top seed Jannik Sinner retired as he was feeling unwell, raising concerns about the Italian’s fitness just days before he is due to begin the defence of his US Open title in New York.
The Spanish second seed snapped the world number one’s 26-match winning streak on hardcourts when his ailing rival signalled he could no longer continue while trailing 5-0 in the first set of the final on Monday.
“This is not the way that I want to win trophies, I just have to say sorry, I can understand how you must feel now,” Alcaraz told Sinner during the presentation ceremony after capturing his third Masters 1000 crown of the season following his success in Monte Carlo and Rome.
“As I said many times, you are a true champion and I am sure from these situations, you are going to come back even stronger, as you always do. That’s what true champions do.”
Sinner had been bidding to become the first man since Roger Federer in 2015 to win back-to-back Cincinnati titles, but he looked uncomfortable early on in the sweltering conditions.
He called it quits after 23 minutes of play.
“I’m super, super sorry to disappoint you,” Sinner told the crowd. “Yesterday I didn’t feel great. I thought that I would improve during the night, but it came up worse.
“I tried to come out, tried to make it at least a small match, but I couldn’t handle more, so I’m very sorry.”
US Open concerns for Sinner
It was also unclear whether Sinner would be fit enough to partner with Katerina Siniakova in the revamped mixed doubles event at Flushing Meadows, which is due to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Singles action at the hardcourt major begins on Sunday.
Monday’s clash had been expected to be a dress rehearsal before a potential final showdown between the world’s two best players in New York, with the duo having faced off in the title match at the last two majors.
Alcaraz came from two sets down and saved three championship points to triumph at Roland Garros, while Sinner emerged victorious at Wimbledon.
Monday’s result extended Alcaraz’s head-to-head record over Sinner to 9–5, including a 6–2 edge on hardcourts.
Spain will host Denmark in the second round of the Qualifiers stage for the Davis Cup Finals. The Spaniards picked clay at the Puente Romano Tennis Club in Marbella, and the captain David Ferrer gathered a strong team.
Carlos Alcaraz, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Pedro Martinez and Marcel Granollers will try to book a place at the Davis Cup Finals On September 13-14. Thus, Carlos will change the surface only a couple of days after the US Open.
However, he wanted to lead the squad and secure a win for his country. Ferrer will name the fifth player later. Also, the Olympic Games doubles champion Marc Lopez will join the technical team.
Ferrer is full of optimism ahead of the tie against tough opponents. He acknowledged the team’s commitment and hunger to succeed, as they approach the tie with maximum intensity.
The return of Carlos Alcaraz and an in-form Alejandro Davidovich Fokina adds significant firepower against the rivals like Holger Rune and Elmer Moller. The opening day could provide decisive, and Ferrer believes his players will be ready for the first strike.
It will be Spain’s first clay-court Davis Cup tie since facing Romania in 2022. The importance of that clash? Carlos Alcaraz’s debut in the red jersey at 18.
The five-time Major winner is 6-2 in the Davis Cup rubbers, including 5-1 in singles. His only loss came against Felix Auger-Aliassime three years ago. Alcaraz led Spain last year.
Spain secured a place at the Davis Cup Finals at home in Marbella but failed to chase the title. Carlos defeated Tallon Griekspoor but dropped a tight doubles match alongside Marcel Granollers, propelling Netherlands over the top.
Spain should be the favorite against Denmark if Alcaraz and Davidovich Fokina step onto the court. Ferrer also counts on the partisan home support, which is alwys crucial in the Davis Cup.
Francisco Cerundolo overcame a testing three-set battle on Friday at the Nordea Open in Bastad, where he held firm to return to the semi-finals at the clay-court ATP 250.
The top-seeded Argentine weathered a free-hitting yet physically hampered Damir Dzumhur, who took three medical timeouts to treat his right shoulder, to ultimately prevail 6-0, 3-6, 6-3. With his one-hour, 46-minute victory, Cerundolo improved to a 21-9 clay-court record in 2025, trailing only World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz for the most wins on the surface this year.
2025 ATP Tour clay-court win leaders
Player
W-L
Best Result
Carlos Alcaraz
22-1
Monte-Carlo, Rome, Roland Garros Titles
Francisco Cerundolo
21-9
Buenos Aires Final
Lorenzo Musetti
19-4
Monte-Carlo Final
Alexander Zverev
18-7
Munich Title
“I try to take it in a positive way,” said Cerundolo, who won his maiden ATP Tour title in Bastad in 2022, when asked about the pressures of being the top seed. “If I’m the top seed here it’s because I’ve done pretty well during the year, so I take it as a compliment, not a pressure. I don’t have to demonstrate anything to anyone. I’m just trying to keep improving as a player and trying to win as many matches as I can.”
The three-time ATP Tour champion, Cerundolo is up one spot to No. 19 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, and will return to his career-high No. 18 on Monday if he reclaims the trophy in Bastad. He next faces Luciano Darderi, who delivered a resounding quarter-final statement to defeat fourth seed Sebastian Baez 6-0, 6-2.
The 23-year-old Italian was in peak form during his 64-minute win, in which he dropped just two of 19 first-serve points and did not face a break point, according to Infosys ATP Stats. Darderi, who is now into his fifth ATP Tour semi-final, impressed even himself with his high-quality showing.
“Today, I don’t know what happened, I played unbelievable, probably the best match of my career,” said Darderi. “If I play like this, it’s going to be easier [in the semi-finals], but I will try to do my best.”
Darderi, who won his second ATP Tour title in Marrakech in April, will look to carry his momentum into Saturday’s semi-final clash against top seed Francisco Cerundolo, who leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 2-1.
In the other half of the draw, Camilo Ugo Carabelli surged past Austrian qualifier Filip Misolic 6-3, 7-5 to book his spot in his third ATP Tour semi-final of the season after deep runs in Rio and Santiago in February. This week in Bastad, the Argentine has jumped nine spots to a career-high No. 50 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.
Standing between Ugo Carabelli and a maiden ATP Tour final is Dutchman Jesper de Jong, who rallied to upset good friend and countryman Tallon Griekspoor. De Jong, who improved to 2-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Griekspoor, prevailed 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-3 to reach his second tour-level semi-final.
Just three weeks ago, Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz were crowned French Open champions — and both are among the favorites again as Wimbledon begins Monday.
Alcaraz is the two-time defending champion at the All England Club — could he become the fifth man in the Open era to achieve a three-peat at Wimbledon? Or will Jannik Sinner avenge his French Open final loss to Alcaraz to win his first Grand Slam title on grass?
Gauff, meanwhile, has now won two major titles but has never made it past the fourth round at Wimbledon. And the women’s field is wide open — the past eight Wimbledon titles have been won by different women.
Could Aryna Sabalenka win her first Wimbledon title? Or will Iga Swiatek bounce back from a difficult year to claim the crown?
And what about Novak Djokovic? Could he somehow win a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title?
Our experts weigh in on these pressing questions and more.
How will Gauff follow up her French Open title?
D’Arcy Maine: Gauff arrives at Wimbledon — where she has been as beloved as just about any player since her breakthrough at the event in 2019 — brimming with confidence and self-belief and certainly could be in a position to have her best result at the tournament.
But it’s not going to be easy. Despite her auspicious debut six years ago at the All England Club in which she reached the fourth round, she has never advanced past that point and lost in her opening-round match in her lone grass-court lead-in event in Berlin earlier this month.
And, perhaps most importantly, she is in an incredibly tough quarter of the draw and could face a number of challenging opponents, including Dayana Yastremska in the first round, potential second- and third-round meetings with former Australian Open champions Victoria Azarenka and Sofia Kenin (who upset her at Wimbledon in 2023), grass standout Liudmila Samsonova in the fourth round and either five-time major victor Iga Swiatek or 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals. So, that’s a tall order and I’m frankly exhausted just typing all of that. Gauff certainly could win all of those matches, but it seems unlikely she will win major title No. 3 during the fortnight.
Bill Connelly: Gauff is definitely to the point where it would not be a surprise if she won any single tournament — her defense and speed are always elite, as is her ability to grind out wins when things threaten to go wayward. But her draw has so many landmines, and she’s only 9-6 on grass over the past two years. In fact, even including that initial upset of Venus Williams six years ago, she’s just 7-9 all time against top-50 players on grass, including three straight losses. She’ll likely have to get past three top-50 players just to get to Rybakina or Swiatek in the quarterfinals. That sounds like a bit too much to ask.
Simon Cambers: This could go one of two ways. Either Gauff goes to Wimbledon feeling as if she can do anything, buoyed by the confidence of winning at Roland Garros, or she’ll be exhausted, mentally, and lose early. It’s a funny one, this. In some ways, she should be high on confidence after winning the French Open and there’s no doubt that she’ll be walking even taller after coming out on top in Paris.
But in another way, I feel as if she never really played her best at Roland Garros, and while that’s also her thing, doing what it takes to win even when she’s not playing great tennis, on grass, where the ball will be flashing around faster than it does on clay, she won’t have much time to get up to speed, especially if any part of her game is malfunctioning.
If she can serve well, then she’ll give herself a chance of doing well, because she moves great and competes as well as anyone. But her draw is very tough; Dayana Yastremska is no pushover first up, Sofia Kenin or Taylor Townsend might be awkward in the third round and then Daria Kasatkina in the fourth and either Iga Swiatek or Elena Rybakina would be ultratough in the quarters. If she can get to Week 2, she’ll be hard to beat but that won’t be easy.
If there’s another epic Alcaraz vs. Sinner clash, who will prevail?
Maine: At this stage, I’m going to have to go with recent history and take Alcaraz. He has won eight of their 12 career meetings, including the past five. Sinner hasn’t beaten Alcaraz — on any surface, in any round of any tournament — since 2023 and has defeated him only once (three years ago) with a title on the line.
Sinner is No. 1 in the world for good reason and can beat everyone else, but Alcaraz seems to be his kryptonite. For now, anyway. (But I’ll reserve my Serena Williams-Maria Sharapova comparison for a later date.) And, since Alcaraz is the two-time defending Wimbledon champion and coming off yet another grass title at Queen’s Club, and Sinner has advanced only once to the semifinals at the All England Club, it certainly feels as if the odds would be in Alcaraz’s favor again.
Connelly: Alcaraz better hope it’s him. We’ve entered a period where it feels as if he’ll be the favorite in the natural-surface Slams (French Open, Wimbledon), and Sinner will be the favorite on hard courts (US Open, Australian Open). But obviously that French Open final was as even as possible — total points: Sinner 193, Alcaraz 192 — and had Sinner won basically one more point at the right time, we’d be talking about him having a chance at a calendar-year Slam and ripping off a “Roger Federer, 2004-07” run of Slams.
Alcaraz is definitely the favorite, both because he’s far more proven on grass and because Sinner might have to get past Djokovic on what is Djokovic’s best surface and Sinner’s worst. But … Sinner seems to be figuring things out.
Cambers: Alcaraz has the pedigree on grass, having won the title in each of the past two years, even if Sinner did win their only previous battle on the surface, at Wimbledon in 2022. Everything depends on how quickly Sinner is able to get over what happened in Paris. He seems the kind of person who can compartmentalize, who can rationalize that tournament as a good one, a step forward, even if others would be crumbling after failing on three match points in a Slam final. But it’s hard to see him being at his best again just yet, especially on a surface which, in theory, can give him issues.
Alcaraz will be tired, too, but as he showed at Queen’s, when he came through a bunch of tight matches to win the title, he will improve as the tournament progresses. With a good draw early, he can ease into the event and then will strengthen as the bigger matches arrive. If they do meet again here, that means it’s the final and you’d have to give Alcaraz the edge, mentally, simply because of what happened in Paris.
Carlos Alcaraz returns to competitive action after the French Open in Tuesday’s Queen’s Club Championships first-round match against countryman Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Although the 2023 Queen’s champion is the favourite to win the all-Spanish tournament opener, the five-time Grand Slam champion will remain cautious of his compatriot, who aims to be third-time lucky after narrow defeats in their first two matchups on the ATP Tour
The dust has hardly settled on Alcaraz’s successful title defence at Roland Garros, and now the Spanish sensation must refocus to begin the short grass season in preparation for a possible Wimbledon three-peat.
The Queen’s Club holds tremendous sentiment for the 22-year-old, whose first of three titles on grass came in West Kensington two years ago when he defeated Alex de Minaur in straight sets in 2023.
While last year’s title defence barely got off the ground, winning the crown two years ago served as the springboard Alcaraz needed to upset Novak Djokovic in the Championships; he then repeated the feat 12 months later in the 2024 final, this time outclassing the 24-time Grand Slam champion in straight sets.
The Spaniard makes another appearance in the London ATP 500 event on a 13-match winning streak, having last lost to Holger Rune in Barcelona, and that defeat remains the world No. 2’s only loss in his last 23 matches on tour.
The top seed in Queen’s begins his third appearance boasting a 6-1 record at the ATP 500 event and aims to enhance that positive record and his overall 24-3 grass-court record to advance to the second round contest against Jordan Thompson or fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar.
Facing a motivated Davidovich Fokina could present challenges for the No. 1 seed, especially after the high of a second French Open success.
However, the world No. 27 will know that the 2023 champion will not offer him gifts in Tuesday’s matchup, as he aims to improve a career 6-10 record on grass.
Coincidentally, the 26-year-old’s best result on the surface was at Queen’s two years ago when he reached the quarter-finals before losing to Botic van de Zandschulp in two sets.
Since that defeat, the 26-year-old has managed only three wins out of nine on the surface, with his last victory at Wimbledon two years ago.
The former No. 21 player enters this year’s Queen’s event on a two-match losing streak in grass-court events: a third-round five-set thriller against Holger Rune at Wimbledon two years ago and a first-round defeat to Alejandro Tabilo in West Kensington 12 months ago.
A year after that three-set loss to Tabilo, Davidovich Fokina, who has a 6-10 career record on grass, seeks a seventh win at the expense of the 2023 champion at Queen’s.
While Davidovich Fokina has struggled to secure wins on grass in his last nine matches, eight of those encounters have not concluded in straight sets.
Although Alcaraz’s two previous victories over his compatriot have been in two sets, the No. 27 player in the world could find third-time luck this time and potentially clinch a set.
However, Davidovich Fokina is unlikely to achieve more than that, as Alcaraz is favoured to progress to a second match in West Kensington.
Carlos Alcaraz shows his true colors with behavior as John McEnroe claim made
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have been hailed for their sportsmanship – both on and off the court – as they continue to uphold the legacy of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
Carlos Alcaraz’s recent victory at the French Open has solidified his position as one of tennis’s biggest stars, and potentially one of its all-time greats.
However, it is his demeanor away from the court that has truly captivated audiences. The 22-year-old from Spain conducted himself with exceptional grace throughout the event at Roland Garros – ultimately claiming the title after a gripping five-set showdown with Jannik Sinner in the final – frequently acknowledging misjudged calls from line officials by awarding points to his opponent.
This commendable honesty reflected the integrity long associated with icons like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Like them, Alcaraz is able to switch between in-game intensity and down-to-earth humility with ease, and his approachable, modest nature has turned him into of of the most universally beloved sports stars on the planet.
Federer and Nadal built careers out of keeping calm, professional and respectful under pressure, no matter the stakes – and Alcaraz is following suit. In contrast to the fiery demeanors of past icons such as John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, Alcaraz signals the rise of a modern champion: fierce in battle but gracious and likable before, during and after.
It’s an approach that has earned admiration from former French Open champion Michael Chang, who, like Alcaraz, made waves as a teenaged prodigy. “The generation that we followed was very competitive, [players] didn’t really talk to each other,” Chang, 53, told Clay Tennis.
“Alcaraz and Sinner have a very healthy respect for one another. Different than in years past, like a McEnroe-Connors or a McEnroe-[Ivan] Lendl. There was no friendship there. Federer and Nadal changed the culture in the locker room, to be honest,” he explained.
“On court, it’s business: you want to play your best and beat your opponent, but off court they were kind to everyone, whether you were world No. 2 or No. 100 in doubles. Roger, Rafa, and even Novak [Djokovic] are responsible for that transformation.
“They treated everyone the same and were kind. I think that respect has carried over to the current generation because they respect everyone.”
Sinner – who, like Alcaraz, is tipped to be a dominant force for years to come – embodies this emerging standard as well. The Italian mirrors Alcaraz’s unique blend of ambition and courtesy, as seen in his gracious speech following his heart-wrenching defeat in Paris on Sunday.
Despite controlling much of the match – and missing three consecutive Championship points in the fourth set – the 23-year-old admitted Alcaraz “deserved” the title and said he was “so happy” for his rival. He went on to recognize the efforts of ball kids, line judges, and chair officials, noting that players “couldn’t do it without” their support.
Sinner entered the tournament under scrutiny, having recently completed what many believed to be a lenient ban after a failed doping test in 2024. Nevertheless, his powerful run and humble behavior throughout the event helped him win back respect from fellow players and supporters alike.
In similar fashion, Alcaraz dazzled with jaw-dropping winners, explosive athleticism, and relentless energy. But it was his humility and professionalism that left the deepest impression. On numerous occasions – including in the final – he conceded points without hesitation when spotting line judge mistakes, drawing gushing praise from fans in the arena and online.
With Federer and Nadal seen, to some extent, as the originators of this ethos, it’s now Alcaraz and Sinner who are advancing that legacy. Their combination of fierce competition and authentic respect is helping to redefine tennis’s cultural landscape, showing that dominance doesn’t require drama or outbursts.
In a sport once infamous for tantrums and bitter rivalries, these emerging stars are offering a refreshing alternative – showing strength through composure and honor through humility.
Iga Swiatek messages both Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz after their titles at the French Open
Iga Swiatek failed to defend her French Open title, but she did manage to reach the semi-finals as Coco Gauff won the title.
Aryna Sabalenka thinks Swiatek has lost confidence, making the claim after winning their semi-final at Roland Garros.
Swiatek had previously won the last three French Open titles before WTA number two Gauff secured her first.
Sabalenka thinks Swiatek would have beaten Gauff had they played the final, but it was instead played out between the American and the Belarusian.
And it was Gauff who emerged victorious, coming from behind to defeat the world number one 6-7(5-7), 6-2, 6-4.
Iga Swiatek messages French Open champions Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz meanwhile won the title on the ATP Tour, defeating world number one Jannik Sinner in the French capital.
And both the Spaniard and Gauff have now received messages from Swiatek following their titles at the French Open.
She wrote on Instagram: “Thank you Paris and Roland Garros! It’s been an amazing time on and off the court with some great challenges and high-quality matches.
“I’m very proud of the work we put together with my team and I definitely also learned some lessons. Every year in Paris gives me energy boost for the rest of the season and with that being said I’m starting my preparation to the grass season very, very soon.”
“Congrats Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz for your [trophies] and guys… what an absolutely mesmerising tennis we’ve seen from both of you. Wow.”
Gauff was quick to reply to her fellow WTA star, with the 21-year-old saying to the Pole: “Thank you so much Iga [smiley face]!”
Is Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka the new Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka?
Gauff is clearly grateful for the support, which has been a common theme in women’s tennis in recent times.
There is a clear mutual respect among competitors, with that feeling particularly true of American women, who are constantly pushing each other to raise their levels.
At the same time, however, there is still a real competitiveness and many exciting rivalries are undoubtedly playing out.
Swiatek and Sabalenka was one such rivalry, with the pair having battled it out for the world number one spot and for many titles once upon a time.
But there may just be a changing of the tides on the WTA Tour, with Sabalenka and Gauff potentially the next big rivalry.
They also met in the Madrid Open final last month, where the Belarusian defeated the American in straight sets.
Rank
Player
Age
Points
1
Aryna Sabalenka
27
11,553
2
Coco Gauff
21
8,083
3
Jessica Pegula
31
6,483
4
Jasmine Paolini
29
4,805
5
Qinwen Zheng
22
4,668
6
Mirra Andreeva
18
4,636
7
Iga Swiatek
24
4,618
8
Madison Keys
30
4,484
9
Paula Badosa
27
3,684
10
Emma Navarro
24
3,649
WTA Tour top 10
Sabalenka remains top of the world rankings heading into the grass season, while Gauff is right behind her in second.
Swiatek meanwhile, a former world number one, has just dropped two places to seventh after the French Open.
Jim Courier points out where Carlos Alcaraz is even ahead of Rafael Nadal as he reaches the French Open final
Carlos Alcaraz is into another French Open final, having beaten Lorenzo Musetti this afternoon.
The match started off as if it was due to be a long, drawn-out affair, but once the 22-year-old got firing it became one-way traffic.
He brushed off the setback of losing the first set to wrestle the second in a tiebreak before bagelling the Italian in the third.
However, it swiftly became clear that something was wrong with Musetti, a notion confirmed when he called for the trainer. His movement had slowed and the match had got away from him, leading to his sad retirement.
Despite that, Andre Agassi was still left stunned by what he had seen, with Jim Courier going as far as to state that Carlos Alcaraz has surpassed Rafael Nadal in one key area.
Carlos Alcaraz told the area of his game where he’s surpassed Rafael Nadal
Given his current trajectory, the young Spaniard is actually on track to mimic what his legendary compatriot did in terms of Grand Slams won, such is the scale of his winning record at these elite events.
At just 22 years old, Alcaraz is a mainstay at the latter stages of almost every event he participates in, with the French Open his latest favourite after making Wimbledon his own too.
His game is perfectly moulded for every surface, but clay in particular is proving a true success. Agassi started his praise by stating: ‘I mean, look at the average speed of his forehand compared to his fastest. He never knows what’s coming off the racket and what that doesn’t say is how feathery his touch is as well.’
Courier would follow that up by comparing Alcaraz to Nadal, noting: ‘And with that forehand, just to put those numbers into context, that’s the same type of rotation on the forehand that Nadal got in his career, which revolutionised the sport. Don’t take my word for it, Andre had to play it. But the speed of the shot is so much greater than Rafa’s.
‘Rafa’s forehand was in the high 70s. If you can hit it that hard with that much control, it can cause problems and force you to basically push your body past its limits, which is what happened with Musetti.’
Andre Agassi praised one area of Alcaraz’s game that’s changed, but some traits he boasts are simply so good they barely need improvement.
Carlos Alcaraz reaches yet another French Open final
It seems that, once Alcaraz decides he likes an event, he develops a fascination with winning it.
At Wimbledon, he was not content with claiming a dramatic five-set victory over Novak Djokovic, so had to follow that up by crushing the 24-time Grand Slam champion in straights.
And, having reached the French Open last year, he seems poised to mimic that feat on the Parisian clay.
He is yet to learn who his opponent will be, but knows that it will either be Djokovic again or Jannik Sinner, his generational rival who he overcame at this event last year.
Neither will pose an easy afternoon for Alcaraz on Sunday, but the tennis community is at least guaranteed a blockbuster clash as one of these two superstars seeks to wrestle the title from the defending champion.
Carlos Alcaraz backs hometown club Real Murcia during Roland Garros practice
Both will be in semifinal action this weekend: Alcaraz against Musetti at Roland Garros, and Murcia in the Primera Federación’s fight for promotion.
PARIS, France — Carlos Alcaraz is always repping his hometown of Murcia—and at Roland Garros, he’s doing it both on and off the court.
The 22-year-old was caught on behind-the-scenes cameras grinning as he received a Real Murcia CF jersey before a Wednesday practice session. Alcaraz proudly put it on over his long-sleeve training top, patting the team’s crest and pointing to it with a smile.
His hometown club, Real Murcia, competes in Spain’s third division—the Primera Federación—and is currently in the hunt for promotion to LaLiga 2. They’ll face Gimnàstic Tarragona on Saturday in a must-win semifinal—just one day after Alcaraz takes on No. 8 seed Lorenzo Musetti for a spot in the Roland Garros final.
“TOGETHER with Carlos Alcaraz, we’re going for the semifinals of our playoffs and of Roland Garros,” the club shared on social media, alongside photos of the No. 2 seed wearing their signature red kit.
Despite a globe-trotting tennis career, Alcaraz remains closely tied to his roots. He still lives with his parents in El Palmar, Murcia, and even flew his personal barber from home to Paris last week for a mid-tournament haircut.
On court, Alcaraz’s practice sessions have also drawn attention. Before his first match in Paris, he was seen doing return drills with his older brother, Álvaro—with a twist.
Alcaraz closed his eyes until he heard the sound of his brother’s racquet hitting the ball, then opened them and took a swing.
“It’s about the reaction, you know,” Alcaraz explained earlier in the week. “We set up the practices with what I have to do (a few) days before the tournament began…
“My fitness coach did that exercise for me just to be ready and get good reactions for the return. And for whatever the match demanding (from me, just to have good reactions.”
