New York, August 27, 2025 — Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has thrown her support behind Carlos Alcaraz’s headline-grabbing buzz cut, declaring that the Spaniard “pulls it off” with confidence despite polarized reactions at the 2025 US Open. Speaking after her record-breaking 6-1, 6-1 second-round victory over Janice Tjen on August 27, Raducanu’s endorsement of Alcaraz’s bold style, coupled with her own scintillating form, has added a playful spark to Flushing Meadows as both stars chase deep runs.
Raducanu’s Support for Alcaraz’s New Look
Raducanu, fresh off a 59-minute thrashing of Tjen—her fastest Grand Slam main-draw win—defended Alcaraz’s buzz cut against critics like Frances Tiafoe, who dubbed it “horrible” and “aerodynamic.” “I think he owns it. If you own a haircut like that, it works,” Raducanu said, smiling. “Frances was harsh. Carlos’s confidence makes it cool” (Sportskeeda.com, August 27, 2025). Alcaraz, who revealed the cut stemmed from a botched blonde dye job by his brother Alvaro, leaned into the buzz after his 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 win over Reilly Opelka, asking the Arthur Ashe crowd, “Do you like the new haircut?” to cheers (TheTennisLetter). Their camaraderie, evident during a mixed doubles loss to Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula, fueled fan excitement, with one X post noting, “Emma backing Carlos’s buzz cut is peak US Open vibes!” (@TennisFanUK, August 27, 2025).
Stellar Performances and Tournament Buzz
Raducanu’s dominant run, with 16 winners and only four unforced errors against Tjen, sets up a blockbuster third-round clash with No. 9 seed Elena Rybakina (BBC Sport). Alcaraz, with a 54-10 season record, faces Mattia Bellucci next, aiming to reclaim his 2022 title (USOpen.org). The haircut saga, amplified by Jannik Sinner’s praise—“Everything looks good on him”—and Naomi Osaka’s playful platinum hair tease, has kept social media abuzz (ATP Tour). Fans on X rallied behind the duo, with one post stating, “Emma and Carlos stealing the show on and off the court!” (@VamosCarlitos, August 27, 2025). Raducanu’s resurgence, aided by chiropractor Jerome Poupel’s horse analogy and coach Francisco Roig, mirrors Alcaraz’s bold reset after a 2024 US Open stumble.
