Introduction
When Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 2 and five-time Grand Slam champion, walked into the US Open with a fresh buzzcut, social media lit up. The reactions ranged from admiration to mockery, but what caught everyone by surprise was how even his barber, Víctor Martínez, became part of the conversation.
For Martínez, the man who has been shaping Alcaraz’s look for years in their hometown of El Palmar, fame and criticism now come with the job. But instead of frustration, he and Alcaraz have found humor in the attention.
‘We laugh about the bad comments’
In an interview, Martínez explained that he and Alcaraz often joke about the negative reactions to the tennis star’s hairstyles.
“Carlos and I laugh about the bad comments. He keeps coming to me to cut his hair because he likes it. At the end of the day, even bad comments create publicity,” Martínez said.
What started as a routine haircut for a young athlete has now become a global talking point, especially after the buzzcut incident at the US Open.
The accidental buzzcut
Interestingly, the haircut that turned heads wasn’t even planned. Alcaraz’s brother reportedly slipped with the clippers, leaving the Spaniard with no choice but to commit to the look.
Martínez called the result “strange”, joking that he’ll have a word with Alcaraz’s brother for stepping into his territory. Fans, meanwhile, were left debating whether the champion’s bold style was fashion-forward or just a mishap.
From local barber to global spotlight
Before Alcaraz’s meteoric rise, Martínez was simply running a small barber shop in Murcia. Now, thanks to his famous client, business is booming. Fans often walk in asking for “the Carlos haircut,” and Martínez is planning to expand his shop into a bigger space to handle the growing demand.
This unexpected fame hasn’t changed his approach, though. For Martínez, cutting hair is about trust, friendship, and confidence — values that mirror Alcaraz’s own mindset on the court.
A bond beyond haircuts
The relationship between Alcaraz and Martínez goes deeper than style. It’s a friendship rooted in loyalty, where even criticism turns into laughter. For a global star like Alcaraz, keeping trusted people close is as important as his game plan.
Martínez summed it up best: “The important thing is Carlos likes it. That’s all that matters.”
Conclusion
Carlos Alcaraz may face relentless scrutiny for his game, his decisions, and even his hair, but together with his barber, he has learned to embrace it. The buzz — quite literally — has only added another layer to the story of a tennis star who plays with flair both on and off the court.