Carlos Alcaraz 'playing to the crowd' with outrageous trick shot in US Open

Carlos Alcaraz's stunning behind-the-back trick shot stunned the crowd in the fourth round of the US Open on Monday, September 1. The incident came in Alcaraz's match against Arthur Rinderknech, where the Spaniard pulled off an incredible behind-the-back defence to wiggle out of trouble in the very first set of the match.

Known very well for his showmanship and unpredictable shot-making, the shot personified the way Alcaraz likes to play tennis.

Alcaraz's shot had the entire US Open crowd erupt in excitement. The Spaniard encouraged them by placing his hand on his ear and asking them to be louder. Speaking after the game, Alcaraz reacted to the same, admitting that he does practice these trick shots because the crowd loves them everywhere.

“Sometimes I practice it, I am not going to lie I don’t practice it too many times, but in practice, if You know the opportunity is there, I will try.

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“And in the match, it is kind of the same. If I have the opportunity, why not?” The people like it, I like playing tennis like this. So, it just came natural.”

With the 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-4 win, the Spaniard will now be locking horns with Jiri Lehecka, who has looked strong in the competition.

Throughout the last two sets of the match, Alcaraz managed to put a lot of pressure on his opponent with the variety of shots. His control of the game forced Rinderknech to constantly rush from the net to the backline, tiring him out in the Round 4 game.

With this win in the Round of 16, Alcaraz is headed to his fourth straight Grand Slam quarterfinal of 2025. Not just that, this win determines that he is the youngest man to reach 13 Grand Slam quarterfinals.