Alcaraz's Braided Comeback
Carlos Alcaraz Returns to Cincinnati Open After Injury, Debuts Braided Look Stirring Online Buzz
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Key Points
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Alcaraz wore a wrist splint during the early phase of his recovery from right wrist tenosynovitis, underscoring a cautious approach to prevent chronic issues as he ramps back up.
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He has a notable history of bold hair moves around major events: a buzz cut at last year’s US Open after his brother’s clippers mishap, followed by a platinum blonde look after winning the 2025 US Open, earning the nickname 'Blondecaraz'.
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Fan reactions to the cornrow braids have been strong online, with comments like 'From Blondecaraz to Cornrowlitos, he keeps tennis stylish & fun!' and 'For 2 hot seconds… I thought I was looking at a young Drake.'
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Outside tennis courts, Alcaraz was part of a World Cup moment by attending the FIFA World Cup final and handing over the trophy, then celebrating with Spain’s national squad.
Carlos Alcaraz is closing in on his comeback after months away from tennis. The 23-year-old Spaniard, sidelined by right wrist tenosynovitis, has been spotted practicing outdoors again — and he's doing it with a striking new set of cornrow braids, according to Pro Football Network.
Alcaraz is expected to return at the Cincinnati Open on August 13. That event will serve as a warm-up before he heads to New York to defend his US Open title.
Wrist Injury Wiped Out Alcaraz's Entire Clay Season
Alcaraz's injury forced him to pull out of four straight tournaments. He withdrew from the Barcelona Open, the Italian Open, the French Open, and Wimbledon. That's two Grand Slams missed in one stretch, according to GiveMeSport.
Tenosynovitis is swelling of the tissue around a tendon — painful and risky if pushed too hard. Alcaraz wore a wrist splint in the early weeks of his recovery. The slow, careful approach was designed to stop a short-term injury from becoming a long-term problem. He has since moved outdoors, training forehand shots with his brother Jaime by his side, per Pro Football Network.
Cornrow Braids Spark a Frenzy Online
Alcaraz dropped his new look on Instagram as part of a July recap post. The cornrow braids were impossible to miss. Fans quickly flooded the comments. One wrote, 'From Blondecaraz to Cornrowlitos, he keeps tennis stylish and fun!' Another said, 'For 2 hot seconds… I thought I was looking at a young Drake,' according to GB News.
The reaction was wide and loud. KhelNow noted the post spread fast across social media, with fans split between love and confusion. Either way, Alcaraz had people talking — about something other than tennis.
A Bold Hair History Built Around Big Tournaments
This isn't Alcaraz's first dramatic hair move before a major event. At last year's US Open, he showed up with a buzz cut — the result of a mishap with his brother's clippers. He then won the tournament and celebrated by going platinum blonde, earning the nickname 'Blondecaraz,' per GB News.
Now comes the cornrow era. It fits a pattern: Alcaraz uses big moments to make bold statements, on and off the court. With Cincinnati and the US Open both ahead, the braids may just be the opening act.
Alcaraz Also Made History at the FIFA World Cup Final
Tennis wasn't the only stage Alcaraz stood on this summer. He attended the FIFA World Cup final and had the honor of handing over the trophy. He then joined Spain's national soccer squad to celebrate their win — a rare crossover moment for one of sport's biggest young stars.
It was a high-profile reminder that Alcaraz's star power goes well beyond the baseline. As he ramps back up toward Cincinnati and the US Open, the world — not just the tennis world — is paying attention.
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