Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz paid homage to compatriot and all-time tennis icon Rafael Nadal with his fashion choice while competing at the U.S. Open.

Carlos Alcaraz opened up on hero Rafael Nadal being the inspiration behind his look (Image: Getty Images)

Carlos Alcaraz admitted that he wore sleeveless shirts in homage to hero Rafael Nadal at the U.S. Open last year. The Spanish superstar’s admiration for his compatriot was clear through his fashion choice as he channelled the 22-time Grand Slam winner at Flushing Meadows.

The 21-year-old was unable to defend the crown he earned 12 months before in New York as he fell to defeat against Daniil Medvedev in four sets in the semifinals. His loss against the 2021 champion came after he had failed to drop a single set en route to the last four of the competition.

He first wore a Nadal-inspired sleeveless number in the first round of the tournament as he defeated Germany’s Dominik Koepfer. The elastic white sleeveless top was complete with a dazzling colorful design as he demonstrated his respect for the tennis icon with a modern-day twist.

Describing the choice of shirt for the tournament, Alcaraz discussed his penchant for sleeveless jerseys as he recalled prior successes for Nadal at the U.S. Open. He said: “Honestly, when I wear the sleeves, I was thinking about Rafa when he wear that. He won that U.S. Open, right?

“I love to wear that sometimes in some specific tournaments. Here in the U.S. Open, I supposed to play last year, but it wasn’t. This year it’s a good, good outfit, so I love it.”

Carlos Alcaraz paid homage to his compatriot Rafael Nadal at the U.S. Open (Image: Getty)

Speaking later in the year, he spoke of his admiration for his compariot, saying: “To be in the same table as the legend Rafa. Rafa was my hero, when I was young and started playing tennis. To watch his matches and his finals, lifting the best trophies in the world.”

After seeing a clip of the interview in question, Nadal issued some kind words to his countryman as he wished him fortune for his upcoming commitments on the ATP tour. He said: “Big hug and good luck in Turin!”

Fast forward to 2024, Alcaraz struggled to live up to expectations as he attempted to add to his single U.S. Open title achieved two years prior. In a major upset, world No. 74 Botic van de Zandschulp defeated the Spanish superstar 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 to dump him out at the second round of the tournament.

Reflecting on his shock exit, Nadal rushed to the defense of his peer, saying: “I don’t think Carlos is mentally not strong, what he is is a little bit tired and saturated by everything he has achieved this summer. Winning Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the silver in Paris.”

“There is a certain moment when the mind also needs a little rest because in an Olympic year the calendar is even tighter and the demands are very high.”

Meanwhile, Alcaraz reflected: “Right now, I feel like I’ve taken steps backwards mentally and I don’t understand why. I’ve had a spectacular summer at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. I left those tournaments saying that I’d taken a step forward mentally. I’d realised that to win big things, to win Grand Slam titles, you have to be mentally strong.”

He added: “Now I’ve reached this swing and I’ve taken steps backwards, like I’m not doing well mentally, I’m not strong. I don’t know how to control myself when faced with problems and I don’t know how to handle it. I have to see exactly what happened, or what’s going on with me.”