Carlos Alcaraz has had plenty of reasons to smile at the US Open this year. He is back on court after more than four months out with a wrist injury, has reached the fourth round and is steadily looking more comfortable with every outing.
But there was one rather unusual problem that followed the defending champion around Flushing Meadows: his nipples.
Alcaraz’s loose-fitting brown Nike tank top, part of a Travis Scott x Cactus Jack collaboration, became one of the talking points of his first two matches at the US Open. The sleeveless outfit kept slipping during points, exposing more of the Spaniard’s chest than he apparently intended.
The internet, naturally, had plenty to say.
Former WTA player Eugenie Bouchard even joined in on the fun, jokingly telling the seven-time Grand Slam champion to “put the nip away”.
By the time Alcaraz walked onto Arthur Ashe Stadium for his third-round match against China’s Wu Yibing on Friday, however, the outfit had undergone a small but noticeable change.
The brown tank top was still there, but Alcaraz had added a white undershirt underneath it.
And after his 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 victory over Wu, the 23-year-old revealed the surprisingly simple reason for the change.
“Well, I think I’ve been seeing too much of my nipples lately,” Alcaraz said with a laugh. “I figured I could cover them up for today’s match.”
There was no intervention from Nike, either.
Alcaraz made it clear that the decision to add the extra layer was entirely his.
“No, it was my decision,” he said. “I wouldn’t have minded playing like that again, but if we can sort it out this way, it was good.”
It appears the undershirt is here to stay.
“I feel really comfortable with another shirt. So I think I’m going to stay like that,” Alcaraz added.
US OPEN: ALCARAZ RACES INTO ROIUND 4
The outfit saga has provided a lighter subplot to what has otherwise been a serious comeback for the Spaniard.
Alcaraz arrived in New York having spent more than four months on the sidelines because of his wrist injury, with questions over how quickly he would be able to rediscover his rhythm after such a long break.
So far, the answer has been encouraging.
The defending champion has lost just one set in his first three matches and produced another dominant performance against Wu, never facing a break point as he moved into the fourth round.
“After four months without competing … when you play an official match with the nerves and everything, the day after or right after, your body can feel really tight,” Alcaraz said.
“It didn’t happen to me and I’m feeling better and better after every match. It feels like I’ve been competing the whole time. I’ve surprised myself with the way I’m recovering after every match.”
ALCARAZ FACES TOMMY PAUL
Alcaraz will now face American 20th seed Tommy Paul in the fourth round. Paul earned his place in the last 16 by beating Alexander Bublik 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-3.
The American is a familiar opponent for Alcaraz, having lost his last five meetings with the Spaniard.
“He’s a really talented player, really difficult one to play,” Alcaraz said. “I think he’s really dangerous for everyone on the tour. I’m really looking forward to playing him once again.”
For now, Alcaraz’s US Open return is going exactly according to plan. The tennis is getting sharper, the wrist is holding up and, after a couple of matches of unwanted exposure, the nipple situation appears to have been sorted too.
– Ends
