Carlos Alcaraz’s Haircut Draws Hilarious Comments From Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Vivek Devane | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 9:43 AM ET

Madison Keys may have suffered a disappointing first-round exit at the US Open last week, but the American star is keeping her sense of humor alive. In her candid podcast alongside close friends and fellow WTA players Jessica Pegula and Jennifer Brady, Keys opened up about a surprising courtside encounter—walking past Carlos Alcaraz and barely recognizing him after his drastic new haircut.

Alcaraz, who recently shaved most of his hair, has been the subject of widespread chatter across the tennis community. And Keys made sure to bring the topic up in hilarious fashion.

“We can make it work, like kitchen scissors after a loss and just straight, just hotel bathroom, in the locker room, post baths. We’re like, get the scissors alone. Oh my gosh,” laughed Keys. “Like, you know, someone’s really going through it when all of a sudden, they show up with, like, an extreme haircut. You’re like, are things tough? Are you OK, no one talked you out of that?” Keys joked when asked about short hairstyles.

Her co-hosts quickly joined in. “Carlos shaved—shaved his head. Oh, God,” exclaimed Pegula, while Brady added with a laugh, “I thought it is off the charts.”

Pegula softened the tone, saying she actually approved of the look: “I don’t mind it. I think he pulls it off. I do think it’s just very drastic, from what I feel, but I like it.”

Keys admitted her own shock when she saw Alcaraz at the venue after her loss. “Seems dramatic because he has like such thick, dark hair, and you’re just so used to seeing that. And it was also after I lost and I was leaving, and we passed each other, and I was like, Carlos, is that you? Carlos shaved his hair. So should I cut my hair?” she laughed.

The conversation then took a playful pop-culture turn when Brady teased, “Britney Spears, 2.0, yeah, oh my gosh.” Keys quickly defended, replying, “Leave Britney alone. She was going through a rough patch.”

“It’s okay. Yeah. No pun intended. We love Britney, Jenny. Come on.” Pegula chimed in, backing the sentiment with a laugh.

While Keys may not have enjoyed the on-court result in New York, her sharp wit and light-hearted banter provided fans with an entertaining glimpse into how tennis players themselves react to Alcaraz’s bold new look.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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