Alcaraz Sets the Record Straight
Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish tennis sensation and newly crowned 2025 US Open champion, has moved to clarify swirling rumors about his love life following reports linking him to Sports Illustrated model Brooks Nader. The speculation, fueled by Nader’s sister Grace Ann’s comments at New York Fashion Week on September 10, 2025, and a Page Six report alleging Nader was dating both Alcaraz and rival Jannik Sinner during the US Open, prompted Alcaraz to address the chatter. In a brief statement ahead of the Laver Cup in San Francisco on September 12, 2025, Alcaraz downplayed the rumors, focusing on his tennis and personal privacy while neither confirming nor denying a relationship with Nader.
The Rumor Mill: From Courtside to Headlines
The romance saga began during the 2025 US Open, where Nader, 28, was spotted courtside on August 31, cheering for Alcaraz during his third-round match against Arthur Rinderknech, alongside Stephen Colbert and his wife, Evelyn (Page Six, web:0). Initial speculation linked Nader to Jannik Sinner after her sister Grace Ann teased on the Page Six Radio podcast that Brooks was involved with someone whose name “rhymes with winner” (Cosmopolitan, web:5). Nader clarified on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 2 that she attended Alcaraz’s match, not Sinner’s, saying, “You’re close. You’re warm” (E! News, web:11).
Grace Ann’s confirmation at NYFW to E! News escalated the story, stating, “The rumors are true. Dating is such a loose term, but I do know he’s the man of the hour,” and noting Alcaraz had met two of Nader’s sisters, Mary Holland and Sarah Jane (People, web:14). A Page Six report on September 11 added a twist, claiming Nader was “dating both” Alcaraz and Sinner during the tournament, drawing Challengers-style comparisons (web:0). Nader was reportedly present for Alcaraz’s semifinal and final, where he defeated Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to claim his sixth Grand Slam and reclaim world No. 1.
Alcaraz’s Response: Focus on Tennis
In a press conference before the Laver Cup (September 19-21, 2025), Alcaraz addressed the rumors with his characteristic charm and diplomacy. “I’m focused on tennis right now—Laver Cup, Shanghai, the rest of the season,” he said. “My private life is private, and I like to keep it that way. I appreciate the support, but let’s talk about the game.” The statement, reported by Tennis.com (web:3), neither confirmed nor denied the Nader link but effectively sidestepped the Page Six claim of a love triangle with Sinner. Alcaraz’s team declined further comment, and Sinner, preparing for the China Open, has remained silent.
Alcaraz’s response echoes his July 2024 Sunday Times interview, where he discussed the challenges of dating as a globetrotting player: “It can be difficult as a tennis player to meet the right person because you are travelling all the time” (E! News, web:11). His focus on family and tennis aligns with his decision to withdraw from Spain’s Davis Cup tie against Denmark (September 13-14, 2025) to recover post-US Open, prioritizing the Laver Cup and Shanghai Masters (ATP Tour, web:5).
Fan Reactions and Context
Fans on X were quick to react, with some praising Alcaraz’s tact: “Carlitos shutting down the Brooks Nader rumors like a boss. Focus on the tennis, king! 🎾” (@TennisFanatic22). Others leaned into the drama, joking, “Alcaraz dodging the Challengers plot with Sinner and Brooks 😂” (@TheTennisLetter). The love triangle narrative, unconfirmed by primary
