Frances Tiafoe roasts “horrendous” Carlos Alcaraz haircut at US Open

NEW YORK—Many athletes would be too superstitious to make a major change before a Grand Slam tournament.

So imagine the shock of the tennis world when Carlos Alcaraz showed up on the practice court with a can't-miss buzz cut hours before his scheduled US Open first round against Reilly Opelka.

Frances Tiafoe was one of the first to get an up-close-and-personal look at the 2022 champ's new ‘do, and hoo boy, did the two-time semifinalist have some thoughts when I asked about it in his post-match press conference:

Q. If I can ask an off-court question, there's a screenshot of you reacting to Carlos Alcaraz's new haircut.

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, it's horrible. It's terrible.

Q. I'm curious if you would make that big change before a slam or you would be too superstitious, do you think?

FRANCES TIAFOE: I mean, it's definitely terrible. He's my guy though. It's funny. I looked at him and I was like, I guess you're aerodynamic.

Juan Carlos "Mosquito" was laughing. He was like, Yeah, he's faster than he already was. I was like, Well, that's a problem.

Yeah, I don't know who told him that it's good. I don't know who told him to do that, but it's terrible. From a guy who gets haircuts week in, week out, and prides myself on good haircuts, it's horrendous.

At the end of the day, it's Carlos, and that's my guy. But yeah, he needs to get with me. He needs to get with me for sure.

Alcaraz is no stranger to the mid-Slam haircut, famously flying in his barber for a fresh cut during Roland Garros—to mixed results.

Might the so-called “aerodynamic” look give Alcaraz the extra edge as he competes for a second US Open title?