John McEnroe Makes ‘20 Bucks’ Remark While Trolling Carlos Alcaraz’s New Haircut

World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz overcame Reilly Opelka to reach the second round of the US Open.

John McEnroe Makes ‘20 Bucks’ Remark While Trolling Carlos Alcaraz’s New Haircut

Carlos Alcaraz, John McEnroe (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K, Served with Andy Roddick)

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Even before playing his first match at the US Open, one thing about Carlos Alcaraz has become the talk of the town. He has debuted a new buzz-cut, and fans, players- current and former ones- have given their reactions.

A clip of Frances Tiafoe just staring at Alcaraz’s shaved head is doing rounds on social media. Tiafoe met Alcaraz in the gym right after his first-round match against Yoshihito Nishioka, and later at the press conference, he gave his verdict: “It’s definitely terrible. He’s my guy, though.”

John McEnroe, just before Alcaraz’s first-round match, trolled him.

First of all, his haircut. Did he get that buzz cut from his hairstylist in Spain? He brought him in at Wimbledon. I’m wondering because you can get that for 20 bucks in the city.

John McEnroe told ESPN

Even Maria Sharapova was taken aback seeing the new style. Sharapova, who was honored with a US Open ring at Arthur Ashe Stadium after her induction into the Tennis Hall of Fame, said on ESPN how she was still stuck at the shaved head of Alcaraz.

It’s so low maintenance. And he just did it. That’s a good effort. I’d be so superstitious. But that’s what you have to love about him, is just his ability to be so free and so confident and have this particular aura about him that transcends the game.

Alcaraz is chasing his second title at the US Open. It was at Flushing Meadows back in 2022 that the Spaniard lifted his career’s first Grand Slam title by defeating Casper Ruud. Last year, he suffered a second-round exit.

The New York crowd loved Carlos Alcaraz’s new haircut

As expected, Carlos Alcaraz was asked about his haircut during his on-court interview after his first-round win over Reilly Opelka. The on-court interviewer told him he looked faster on court and asked him if it was because of his haircut. Alcaraz broke into a big smile and asked the New York crowd whether they liked his shaved head, to which they cheered loudly.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

Yeah. I mean, I think new thing I get, I mean, I have…I got to ask the people you know if they like the new haircut or not. Did you like it, guys? I think they like it. I think they like it.

It was Alcaraz’s first meeting against Opelka, and although he won it with a 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 scoreline, the big-serving American ace was making it difficult for the five-time Grand Slam champion to get the rhythm that he wanted to by playing the first-round match. His next round opponent is Mattia Bellucci, who was handed a walkover by Shang Juncheng.

Carlos Alcaraz is eyeing the No.1 ranking

If Alcaraz wins the US Open, he will finally reclaim his No.1 ranking from Jannik Sinner, whom he could only face if they both reach the final. Alcaraz and Sinner have met four times in the final already this year, including at the French Open and Wimbledon.

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, Bastien Fachan)

Sinner, who missed three months due to his doping suspension, has played five finals and won two titles- at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz has so far reached eight finals and clinched six titles (the most on the men’s tour this year). In their last tournament, the Cincinnati Masters, Sinner handed the walkover to the 22-year-old in the final because of an illness.

The Italian ace is bidding to defend his title (defeated Taylor Fritz last year), and if he doesn’t have a better campaign than Alcaraz, he will drop to the second spot on the rankings table. Sinner will kick-start his campaign on Tuesday (August 26) against Vit Kopriva.

Also read: Petra Kvitova Reflects on the Proudest Moments of her Illustrious Career After her Retirement at the US Open