Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Shanghai Masters – Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, Shanghai, China – October 10, 2026 Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in action during his round of 64 match against Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
3, debuted the new look during his 6-3, 6-3 victory over Cerundolo. Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news , check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule . Asked about it during his on-court interview, the seven-time Grand Slam champion explained that the arrangement had been straightforward: if he won in Tokyo, everyone in his entourage would grow a moustache and compete in Shanghai with the same look.
Very nice,” Alcaraz said. Alcaraz, who entered the Shanghai Masters as the second seed and World No. “Well, yeah, it’s gonna stay. It’s gonna stay for a week. You know, I always wanted to step on the court, you know, at least once, you know, with the mustache. You know, before Tokyo, it was like, all right, if I win the tournament, we all have to do the mustache and play in Shanghai with the mustache. So I think it’s gonna be fun. We’re laughing around. We’re just having fun with it. So it came to stay. For now, the moustache will remain for at least another week, while Alcaraz turns his attention to progressing deeper into the Shanghai draw and building on his title-winning run in Tokyo. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
He reached the quarter-finals in 2024 but did not progress further, and he missed the tournament in 2025, leaving the title among the notable trophies still missing from his record at the event. The Spaniard is now chasing his first Shanghai Masters title.
The moustache was the result of a promise Alcaraz made with his team before the Japan Open, where he successfully defended his title by defeating Czech player Jiri Lehecka 7-6(4), 6-4 in the final on October 6. The victory gave the 23-year-old his third tour-level title of the 2026 season and his first title since February, providing the perfect excuse to follow through on their agreement. At the 2025 French Open, he sported a shorter, closely cropped haircut after his barber, Victor Martinez, travelled to Paris to give him a fresh look. Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Shanghai Masters – Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, Shanghai, China – October 10, 2026 Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz shakes hands with Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo after winning his round of 64 match REUTERS/Tyrone Siu The adjustment proved effective, with Alcaraz producing 24 winners at the net as he completed the straight-sets victory. The pair have met once before, with Alcaraz winning that encounter to take a 1-0 lead in their head-to-head record.
The celebration in Tokyo had already offered a glimpse of the team’s enthusiasm, with one member of his entourage shouting “Bigotes para todos!”, meaning “Moustaches for everyone! Alcaraz continued the joke after his Shanghai opener, writing “Moustache team!” on the camera lens. Alcaraz said the approach had not been his original plan, explaining that he initially needed time to settle into the match and get used to the fast court. So I tried to do something different,” he said.
Carlos Alcaraz has a new look at the Shanghai Masters, and there’s a funny story behind it. Fresh off his Japan Open triumph, the Spaniard showed up in China sporting a moustache after making a playful deal with his team. He has already backed it up with a win over Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo, and now he’s explained why the moustache isn’t going anywhere just yet. Alcaraz has experimented with his appearance several times over the past year, making the Shanghai moustache another addition to a series of looks that have generated discussion among tennis fans. Later that year, he arrived at the US Open with a buzz cut following a mishap involving his brother and a pair of clippers, which left him with little choice but to shave his head. The unexpected transformation became a talking point among fans and fellow players, including Frances Tiafoe, but Alcaraz went on to win the title in New York without appearing troubled by the attention surrounding his haircut. During his recovery from injury, he also wore his hair in cornrows, prompting another wave of reactions from supporters. Alcaraz’s opening performance against Cerundolo also demonstrated his ability to adjust his tactics to the conditions in Shanghai While his appearance has attracted attention. He moved forward aggressively and looked to take control of rallies at the net, putting pressure on the Argentine and limiting the time available to respond. “It wasn’t the plan at the beginning. I tried to be ready and get used to the conditions. The speed of the court is very fast, which I like. Thanks to that, I started not very well, not getting the rhythm. His ability to change the pattern of play helped him regain control after a slow start and begin his Shanghai campaign with a convincing result.
Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Alcaraz is scheduled to face Belgian player Zizou Bergs on Monday in his next match.
