Carlos Alcaraz wowed the US Open crowd with a stunning behind-the-back shot during his fourth-round match against Arthur Rinderknech on August 31, 2025, at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 22-year-old Spaniard, ranked world No. 2, executed the improvised shot early in the first set when Rinderknech wrong-footed him with a looping shot near the net. Alcaraz, moving to his right at midcourt, flicked the ball up the line with a behind-the-back motion, catching Rinderknech off guard. The Frenchman’s subsequent volley landed in the net, handing Alcaraz the point and igniting the crowd. Alcaraz celebrated with a big smile, glancing at his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and cupping his ear to rally the spectators.
This moment helped Alcaraz secure a love hold to level the score at 2-2 in the first set, which he later won in a tiebreak (7-6(3)). He went on to defeat Rinderknech 6-3, 6-4 in the next two sets, advancing to the quarterfinals without dropping a set in the tournament. The victory marked Alcaraz as the youngest man in the Open era to reach 13 Grand Slam quarterfinals, surpassing Boris Becker by about six months. Alcaraz, who won the US Open in 2022, noted he occasionally practices the behind-the-back shot but doesn’t overdo it, saying, “If I have the opportunity, why not?” The crowd’s energy, he added, suits his dynamic playing style.
Alcaraz now faces No. 20 seed Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals on September 2, 2025. The two have met three times, with Alcaraz leading 2-1, though never in a major. Lehecka, who reached his second Slam quarterfinal by defeating Adrian Mannarino, called Alcaraz one of tennis’s toughest challenges, praising his complete game. Alcaraz’s 2025 season has been stellar, with a 34-1 record in his last 35 tour-level matches, including a French Open title in June and a Wimbledon final appearance in July.[]
