Overview

• Carlos Alcaraz said a home trim went wrong when his brother misunderstood the clippers, leaving shaving as the only remedy.
• He unveiled the new look on Arthur Ashe Stadium and beat Reilly Opelka 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 in the first round.
• Alcaraz downplayed the change, noting hair grows back soon and joking about feeling faster and seeing a pale scalp on the video board.
• Frances Tiafoe mocked the cut as “terrible” and “horrendous,” while Jannik Sinner said it suits Alcaraz and Naomi Osaka suggested trying platinum.
• In a playful nod after Tiafoe’s comments, Alcaraz practiced with Martin Damm Jr., Tiafoe’s next opponent, and he now meets Mattia Bellucci in round two.