During the Cincinnati Open on August 14, 2025, Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 2 and five-time Grand Slam champion, found himself in a heated dispute with chair umpire Greg Allensworth during his fourth-round match against Luca Nardi. The incident, which overshadowed Alcaraz’s 6-1, 6-4 victory, centered on a request to cover the Evian logo on his water bottle, as it conflicted with the tournament’s sponsorship agreements. Alcaraz, an Evian-sponsored athlete, refused to comply, engaging in a tense exchange with the umpire.
The confrontation occurred during a break in the first set. Allensworth explained that tournament rules required the logo to be covered due to sponsor conflicts. Alcaraz, visibly frustrated, argued that it wasn’t his fault, stating, “Why would I have to cover it when it wasn’t my fault? Because it’s your fault, you’re saying I have to cover it now? No, I’m not going to cover it.” He continued, “It’s always your fault, and then I have to pay for that,” refusing to cover the logo and continuing to use the bottle as is.
The exchange sparked varied reactions. Some fans on X supported Alcaraz, calling the request “stupid” and praising his defiance, with one noting, “I like how, as humble as Carlos is, he knows he has the swag to just say ‘no, I’m not gonna do that’ to the umpire.” Others criticized his behavior, arguing that he should have respected the rules, with one stating, “It’s business and he knows it. Everyone was removing labels or covering them with stickers and now he is acting shocked.” Posts on X also highlighted the irony, noting that the dispute drew more attention to the Evian brand.
Despite the controversy, Alcaraz’s performance remained unaffected. He dominated the first set in 27 minutes, winning 13 of the first 14 points, and rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the second set to secure the win. Post-match, he focused on his performance, saying, “I think this match was the best so far for me in this tournament. I’m just happy with the way I felt the ball today.” Alcaraz now faces Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals, holding a 3-1 head-to-head lead.
The incident has raised the possibility of sanctions, with reports suggesting Alcaraz risks a fine for non-compliance. No official statement from the tournament organizers has been released as of August 15, 2025. This altercation adds to Alcaraz’s history of umpire disputes, including previous clashes over time violations at the China Open and a shot clock issue at the 2025 Miami Open. While his on-court brilliance continues, such incidents highlight the pressures of navigating sponsorship obligations and tournament regulations at the elite level.
