Carlos Alcaraz turned heads at the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey, appearing on the pitch alongside South Korean model and actress Hoyeon to present the iconic trophy before Spain faced defending champions Argentina. For a devoted football fan like Alcaraz, the invitation to participate in one of sport's biggest occasions would have been impossible to turn down, and he clearly relished every moment cheering on his compatriots.
Fans watching the ceremony also noticed something different about the Spanish star: his noticeably longer hair. Alcaraz had previously revealed that a haircut gone wrong at the hands of his brother forced him to shave his head entirely ahead of last year's US Open, where he ultimately went on to claim the title. The new look signals how much time has passed since he last competed on tour.
And that gap is growing. Alcaraz has been absent from competitive tennis since suffering a wrist injury at the Barcelona Open in April. The injury caused him to miss his French Open title defense and Wimbledon, leaving a significant void in the sport. Recent training footage showed him hitting with very little power, and he was notably avoiding serving entirely during practice sessions, instead rehearsing the motion without actually striking the ball.
Former British number one Greg Rusedski has publicly raised doubts about whether Alcaraz will be fit for the US Open, noting that the cautious nature of his rehab footage raises more concerns than it resolves. Rusedski pointed out that barely making contact with the ball suggests the injury may be more serious than officially acknowledged.
With the final Grand Slam of 2026 approaching, TennisDraw users will be watching Alcaraz's fitness updates closely before locking in their bracket picks.
