Carlos Alcaraz reveals real reason behind his infamous haircut at Australian Open 2025

Carlos Alcaraz turned up at the Australian Open with a close-cropped hairstyle that caught the media and public attention. The 21-year-old Spaniard is bringing a fresh look to his latest assault on a Grand Slam title, the only one missing from his impressive collection of major wins.

Alcaraz will be looking to add to his wins at the 2024 French Open, Wimbledon 2023 and 2024, and the 2022 US Open. Having just lost his exhibition match to Aussie Alex de Minaur, interviewer Andrea Petkovic was keen to understand the inspiration behind Alcaraz's new hairstyle going into the Melbourne tournament.

Petkovic asked: “You just had a haircut. What was the inspiration?" and Alcaraz was quick to explain, saying:

“I discussed with my barber that when I get a haircut… three days later it’s grown out. So I have to go more often. It’s a New year. I knew I was gonna be here in Australia. 40 Degrees. It’s summer here. I thought I needed something new. I already did this haircut a few years ago and I just like it. Probably this year is gonna be a new Carlitos in style.”

Alcaraz is not the only player to adjust his preparations in light of the Australian heat. Arch-rival Jannik Sinner and ATP World No. 1 has also lamented the 40-degree heat. Alcaraz, the World No. 3, endured a series of setbacks in 2024 after his Olympics final loss to Novak Djokovic. He suffered a number of losses to lower-ranked players through the American hardcourt season.

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Carlos Alcaraz will be looking for any small advantages he can find to lift the Australian Open trophy in 2025

Carlos Alcaraz Pre-Season Training - Source: Getty

Carlos Alcaraz recovered to win the China Open in October, beating Jannik Sinner in the final 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, which appeared to herald a welcome return to form.

However, at the season-ending ATP Finals, Alcaraz was dumped out of the tournament at the group stage. A few days later, he attended his great friend Rafael Nadal's retirement ceremony at the Davis Cup in Malaga, which was hugely emotional for him.

Alcaraz therefore arrives at Melbourne with a point to prove. His best showing in Australia was a quarterfinal appearance in 2024, when he succumbed to Alexander Zverev in four sets. In 2021, at age 17 he was defeated by Mikael Ymer in the second round, and by Matteo Berrettini in the third round in 2022. He was forced to withdraw from the 2023 tournament with a hamstring injury.