Carlos Alcaraz and that… awkward detail: “I decided it myself”

Carlos Alcaraz easily advanced to the round of 16 at the U.S. Open, defeating China’s Wu Yibing 6–3, 6–4, 6–1. But what sparked discussion after the match wasn’t just the level of his tennis: the No. 3 player in the ATP rankings explained a curious detail related to his decision to wear a second tank top under the one he had already worn in his earlier matches.

“It was my decision; the equipment sponsor had nothing to do with it: the neckline was too low. I simply thought it would be best to cover up a bit more—I’ve seen too many photos of my nipples floating around,” said the champion from Murcia, smiling. “Not that it was any great distraction for me… Maybe it was in the second round,” he then added, referring to his match against Portugal’s Jaime Faria, the only player so far capable of taking a set from him, forcing Alcaraz himself to stage a comeback in the season’s final Grand Slam.

Carlos Alcaraz returned to the US Open after a long hiatus due to a wrist injury. The news of his return to the court disproved claims that the injury was more serious than initially thought—some had even suggested it might sideline the Murcia native until the end of the season. His first matches at Flushing Meadows, however, showed a solid and consistent Alcaraz, even on a surface as challenging and fast as hard court.

Alcaraz has already won the U.S. Open twice: in 2022, not yet 20 years old, he surprised everyone by defeating Casper Ruud in the final and thus winning his first-ever Grand Slam title, while in 2025 he got the better of Jannik Sinner—a notable absentee from this year’s tournament—defeating him in four sets in one of the many finals that have cemented the great rivalry between these two young stars.