It is an eventful start of the US Open for Carlos Alcaraz, who makes just as much noise off the field as it is on it.
Vers of winning his sixth title of the season in Cincinnati, the 22-year-old Spaniard arrived in New York Zememen-literal-after the debut of a sharp new buzzcut that attracted a lot of attention. The week of Alcaraz, however, accelerated when golf star Rory Mcilroy came during his practice session on Monday.
“It was the first time I met him. It was such an honor. I just admire him a lot. I am just a big fan of golf,” said Alcaraz about McIlroy, the reigning Masters champion. “The last day of the masters I just won Monte Carlo, and in my party I was with the phone that encouraged him and supported him. It was an incredible experience for me to meet him and [having] A chance to talk to him a little.
‘As a person he seems [like] A really good guy, really a good person. As a athlete he has shown what he is able to do, his swing, his wave. It’s just great to look at his wave. So I just admire him a lot. ”
After seeing Reilly Opelka in straight sets on Monday evening, Alcaraz seemed to devote his victory to McIlroy, who looked at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Alcaraz broke in a playful Golf Swing -celebration, only a few moments after sealing the match point.
Smooth first round swing ⛳️@Carlosalcaraz Opelka beats 6-4 7-5 6-4 to start his #Usopen Campaign in style!@Usopen
pic.twitter.com/uihlnd2mj4
– ATP Tour (@atptour) August 26, 2025
For now, the Focus is completely shifting back on the courts at Flushing Meadows, where Alcaraz has its sixth big title. While he opened his campaign in style on Monday, there is much more at stake the fourteen days.
Alcaraz is locked up in an exciting race with title defender Jannik Sinner for the number 1 place in the PIF ATP ranking. If the Spaniard corresponds to the result of his rival in New York or is better, he returns to World No. for the first time since September 2023. 1.
For the time being, however, the Spaniard is insisting that he and Sinner both remain focused on the tournament, not in the ranking.
“I don’t think I put pressure on his shoulders, to be honest. I am pretty sure that he is thinking of the first round, trying to win the first round, as much as I did today. I am not trying to think about the rank of the number 1 place.
“I just try to go as far as I can in this tournament, play my best tennis and let’s see how it will be at the end of the tournament. Who will play better in this tournament will decide the number 1 spot. I don’t think I put pressure on him.”
Alcaraz looked convincing in his 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 victory over Opelka in their first Lexus ATP Head2head meeting, but the Spaniard admitted that he should find more electricity for his second round of money.
“Today was really difficult to get a good rhythm,” said Alcaraz. “Opelka is such a tough opponent, Big Serve. He doesn’t let you go on rallies. It was hard for me to get a good rhythm and a good feeling from the baseline. So I just tried to return well and played as long as I can.
“So it was a difficult first round, but in general I am just very happy with the way I managed everything today. Good returns, good points from the basic line, serves good. So I just wanted to maintain it. Tomorrow I will try to practice a bit to get more rhythm.
Alcaraz, who owns a Tour-Koning 55 victories and six titles in 2025, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, will continue its Flushing Meadows campaign against Mattia Bellucci on Wednesday.
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