Carlos Alcaraz celebrates US Open victory with golf swing for McIlroy

Overview

• Carlos Alcaraz began his US Open 2025 campaign with a confident 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 victory over America’s Reilly Opelka.
• He mimicked a golf swing in honour of Masters champion Rory McIlroy.
• He drew as much attention for his celebration as for his tennis.

Carlos Alcaraz began his US Open 2025 campaign with a confident 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 victory over America’s Reilly Opelka. The Spaniard, however, drew as much attention for his celebration as for his tennis. After sealing the win, Alcaraz mimicked a golf swing in honour of Masters champion Rory McIlroy.

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The two met for the first time, something Alcaraz described as a memorable moment.

"It was the first time that I met him. It was such an honour," Alcaraz said. "On the last day of the Masters I had just won Monte Carlo and I was on my phone cheering on him. It was an unbelievable experience meeting him and having a chance to talk a little bit with him. It's just amazing to watch his golf."

"I’m not really into hair at all." - Alcaraz

While his victory and golf tribute entertained fans, another talking point was Alcaraz’s new haircut. When asked about it, the Spaniard admitted the look was not planned.

"Suddenly, my brother just mishandled the clippers. He cut it, and the only way to fix it was to shave it off completely," Alcaraz explained. "To be honest, it’s not that good… it’s not that bad, I guess. I’m not really into hair at all. I’m the kind of guy who thinks, ‘Okay, hair grows back,’ and in a few days, it’s going to be fine, I suppose. It just happened, and that’s it."

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Alcaraz will face Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in the second round on August 27. Bellucci advanced after defeating China’s Shang Juncheng 7(7)-6(0), 1-6, 6-3, 3-0 in his opener.