ATP Tour

Alcaraz reveals how McIlroy inspired him before R1 US Open win

It’s been an eventful start to the US Open for Carlos Alcaraz, who is making just as much noise off the court as he is on it.

Fresh from winning his sixth title of the season in Cincinnati, the 22-year-old Spaniard arrived in New York buzzing — literally — after debuting a sharp new buzzcut that caught plenty of attention. Alcaraz’s week went up a gear, however, when golf star Rory McIlroy dropped in on his practice session on Monday.

“It was the first time that I met him. It was such an honor. I just admire him a lot. I'm just a huge fan of golf,” Alcaraz said of McIlroy, the reigning Masters champion. “The last day of the Masters I just won Monte Carlo, and in my celebration I was with the phone cheering on him, supporting him. It was an unbelievable experience for me meeting him and [having] a chance to talk a little bit with him.

“As a person, he seems [like] a really good guy, a really close person. As an athlete, he has shown what he is capable of doing, his swing, his golf. It's just amazing to watch his golf. So I just admire him a lot.”

After seeing off Reilly Opelka in straight sets on Monday night, Alcaraz appeared to dedicate his win to McIlroy, who was watching on inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. Alcaraz broke into a playful golf swing celebration just moments after sealing match point.

Smooth first round swing ⛳️@carlosalcaraz defeats Opelka 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 fully shifts back on the courts at Flushing Meadows, where Alcaraz is chasing his sixth major title. While he opened his campaign in style on Monday, there is plenty more at stake over the fortnight.

Alcaraz is locked in a thrilling race with defending champion Jannik Sinner for the No. 1 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings. If the Spaniard matches or betters his rival’s result in New York, he will return to World No. 1 for the first time since September 2023.

For now, though, the Spaniard insists he and Sinner are both staying focused on the tournament, not the rankings.

“I don't think I'm putting pressure on his shoulders, to be honest. I'm pretty sure that he's thinking about the first round, trying to win the first round, as much as I did today. I'm trying not to think about the rank of the No. 1 spot.

“I'm just trying to go as far as I can in this tournament, play my best tennis, and let's see how it's going to be at the end of the tournament. Who plays better in this tournament will decide the No. 1 spot. I don't think I'm putting 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’ll need to find more flow ahead of his second-round cash.

“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 difficult for me to get a good rhythm and a good feeling from the baseline. So I just tried to return well, playing as long a point as I can.

“So it was a difficult first round, but overall I just really happy with the way that I managed everything today. Good returns, good points from the baseline, good serves. So I just wanted to keep it going. Tomorrow I will try to practice a little bit to get more rhythm. The next round is going to be with more rhythm, playing more points from the baseline, but right now I'm just really happy with the way that I'm feeling.”

Alcaraz, who owns a Tour-leading 55 wins and six titles in 2025, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, continues his Flushing Meadows campaign against Mattia Bellucci on Wednesday.