Carlos Alcaraz Debuts Braided Hair Ahead of US Open

Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz has unveiled a dramatic new hairstyle, sporting tightly braided cornrows, as he prepares for his return to competition at the upcoming US Open. The 23-year-old Spaniard, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, shared images and videos of the transformation on his Instagram account this week, sparking widespread discussion among fans.

The new look marks a significant departure from the longer, shaggy style he recently sported while cheering for Spain at the FIFA World Cup final in New York earlier this month. Alcaraz has a history of experimenting with his appearance; last year he arrived at the US Open with a buzzcut, which he attributed to a botched haircut by his brother, and later dyed his hair platinum blonde after winning the Japan Open.

The reaction to his latest style has been mixed. While many followers on Instagram praised the braids as stylish and confident, other social media users expressed strong disapproval, with some calling the look a disaster. The hairstyle has nonetheless become a major talking point as attention turns to his on-court comeback.

Alcaraz has not competed since April due to tendon inflammation in his dominant right wrist, an...