Carlos Alcaraz’s Frustration at the Cincinnati Open
Carlos Alcaraz, widely known for his friendly demeanor, demonstrated a moment of frustration during his latest encounter at the Cincinnati Open in 2025. In the round of 16, the Spaniard faced off against Italy’s Luca Nardi. While Alcaraz was expected to dominate the match — especially following his shaky performance against Damir Dzumhur in the preceding round — he eliminated any possibility of an upset with a solid victory, finishing the match with scores of 6-1, 6-4. Alcaraz was in control for most of the match, breaking Nardi multiple times, though the Italian did manage to make the second set more competitive.
Exchange with the Umpire
Despite this routine win, the match will be chiefly recalled for an exchange between Alcaraz and the match umpire, Greg Allensworth. The world No. 2 expressed his displeasure over what he perceived as an unjust demand from the official. During the match, Alcaraz was seen drinking water from an Evian bottle, a brand associated with various tennis tournaments globally. However, Allensworth instructed him to obscure the Evian label since the brand was not a sponsor of the Cincinnati Open.
“Because of that (the Evian label), I have to put it in and out at every changeover?”
The umpire explained the need for compliance with sponsor regulations, but Alcaraz felt it was unjust to penalize him for an oversight on the umpire’s part. He exclaimed,
“It wasn’t my fault. Why should I have to cover it when it wasn’t my fault?”
to which Allensworth conceded, acknowledging that he should have addressed the issue earlier. Alcaraz’s frustration stemmed from a valid concern about potentially facing penalties over an issue that he felt was out of his control. The incident reflects the stakes involved in tournament sponsorships, which can create tension when players inadvertently highlight a competing brand.
Looking Ahead
As Alcaraz continues his campaign in Cincinnati, he is eyeing another potential showdown with fellow rising star Jannik Sinner. The two have already faced each other in two thrilling Grand Slam finals this year, with each winning a title. Their rivalry, although intense on the court, does not diminish their cordial relationship off it, evidenced by their time spent practicing together in Cincinnati. Fans are hopeful both players will remain injury-free leading up to the 2025 US Open, where excitement is set to reach a crescendo.
In related news, fellow competitor Jack Draper has also provided a recent update on his recovery as the final Grand Slam of the season approaches.
