WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz blatantly refuses to comply with umpire’s ‘water bottle’ request at Cincinnati Open

In a dramatic moment at the Cincinnati Open on August 14, 2025, Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 2, openly defied chair umpire Greg Allensworth’s request to cover the Evian logo on his water bottle during his fourth-round match against Luca Nardi. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated, occurred during a break in the first set of Alcaraz’s 6-1, 6-4 victory. The umpire cited tournament sponsorship rules, as Evian’s branding conflicted with official sponsors. Alcaraz, an Evian-sponsored athlete, responded heatedly, saying, “Why would I have to cover it when it wasn’t my fault? You’re saying I have to cover it now? No, I’m not going to cover it.” He added, “It’s always your fault, and then I have to pay for that,” before continuing to use the bottle without covering the logo.

The video, shared across platforms like X, sparked polarized reactions. Supporters lauded Alcaraz’s defiance, with one user posting, “Carlos standing his ground is iconic. Why should he cover it when it’s his sponsor?” Critics, however, argued he should have complied, with a comment stating, “Rules are rules. Other players cover logos without drama.” The clash drew ironic attention to Evian, amplifying its visibility. Alcaraz’s performance remained unhindered, as he dominated Nardi and advanced to face Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals. Reports suggest a potential fine for non-compliance, though no official penalty has been confirmed as of August 15, 2025.

This incident echoes strategic choices seen elsewhere, like Aryna Sabalenka’s withdrawal from the US Open mixed doubles due to her partner’s hospitalization, or Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin prioritizing the Davis Cup. Alcaraz’s refusal highlights the tension between player sponsorships and tournament regulations, a recurring challenge in professional tennis.