“Carlos Alcaraz keeps forgetting that he’s bald” – Fans in splits over Spaniard’s fruitless gesture after US Open 1R win

Carlos Alcaraz, the No. 2 seed and 2022 US Open champion, left fans in stitches after his 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 first-round victory over Reilly Opelka on August 25, 2025, at the US Open, when he instinctively ran his fingers through his newly buzzed hair, seemingly forgetting his dramatic haircut. The lighthearted moment, captured on video, went viral, with fans joking, “Carlos Alcaraz keeps forgetting that he’s bald,” amplifying the buzz around his bold new look.

## The Hair-Raising Gesture and Fan Frenzy
After defeating Opelka in straight sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Alcaraz, sporting a close-cropped buzz cut, made a habitual gesture of brushing his hand over his head, as if expecting his former thick locks. A fan-posted video on X sparked hilarity, with one user writing, “he keeps forgetting that he’s bald 😂” (@TennisFanUSA, August 25, 2025). Another quipped, “Carlos trying to fix hair that ain’t there!” (@VamosCarlitos, August 25, 2025). The moment added to the frenzy over his haircut, which he revealed was due to a botched blonde dye job, prompting his brother Alvaro to shave it off: “I struggled with the last haircut, so I had to start fresh” (*Daily Mail Online*, August 26, 2025).

## Context of the Haircut and Match
Alcaraz’s buzz cut, likened to Wentworth Miller’s *Prison Break* style, debuted during practice on August 24, 2025, drawing mixed reactions. Frances Tiafoe called it “horrible” but “aerodynamic,” while John McEnroe joked it cost “20 bucks in the city” (*Hindustan Times*, August 26, 2025). Alcaraz took the jests in stride, asking the crowd post-match, “Do you like the new haircut?” to cheers (*TheTennisLetter*, August 26, 2025). His performance remained unaffected, with 22 winners and 8 aces against Opelka, showcasing his focus despite the hairstyle chatter (*USOpen.org*). The win marked a strong start to his campaign to reclaim the title after a 2024 second-round exit.

## Broader Implications
The viral moment mirrors the playful reinventions of athletes like Coco Gauff, adapting with new coaches, or Luke Littler, embracing darts fame. Alcaraz’s 54-10 season record, including titles in Rotterdam, Monte-Carlo, Rome, and Cincinnati, underscores his readiness for a deep US Open run, with potential clashes against Daniil Medvedev or Novak Djokovic looming (*India Today*, August 26, 2025). Fans on X continued the buzz, with one post noting, “Carlos’s ‘bald’ moment is iconic, but he’s still winning it all” (@TennisVibes, August 25, 2025). As he faces Mattia Bellucci next, Alcaraz’s lighthearted gesture has endeared him further, blending humor with his quest for a sixth Grand Slam.