Carlos Alcaraz debuted a shaved-head look at the U.S. Open on Monday, he then backed it up with a straight-sets victory over American Reilly Opelka, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4, in his first-round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, extending his perfect Grand Slam opening-round record to 19-0.
Seeded second in the tournament, the 22-year-old Spaniard paired the fresh look with his usual sharp play, defeating big-serving American Reilly Opelka in just over two hours.
On court, Alcaraz was nearly flawless. He committed only 17 unforced errors, captured 50 of his 58 first-serve points, saved all three break points against him, and broke Opelka three times. The win extended his perfect record in Grand Slam openers to 19-0.
Earlier in the day, Alcaraz bumped into golf star Rory McIlroy, who jokingly rubbed his newly shaved scalp. The Spaniard had sported a full head of hair just last week while competing in the tournament’s mixed doubles event. After his match, Alcaraz playfully polled the Arthur Ashe crowd on whether they liked the haircut and the resounding roar suggested approval.
Not everyone was convinced. Close friend and fellow pro Frances Tiafoe, who lost to Alcaraz in the 2022 U.S. Open semifinals gave a brutally honest review: “It’s horrible. It’s terrible. It’s definitely terrible. That’s my guy, though,” he joked, quipping that at least the style makes Alcaraz “aerodynamic.”
The new look may be polarizing, but Alcaraz’s performance left little doubt. Hair or no hair, his game remains world-class.