Sports
Alcaraz's Inner Circle and Surprise Celebrity Support Fuel US Open Quarterfinal Run
Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion and second seed, is set to take on eighth-seeded American Ben Shelton in a highly anticipated quarterfinal at the 2026 US Open. Alcaraz entered the tournament amid uncertainty following a four-month absence caused by a right wrist injury sustained in Barcelona, but he has quickly silenced doubts about his fitness. The Spaniard has returned to top form in New York, extending his Grand Slam winning streak to 18 matches after defeating 20th seed Tommy Paul in straight sets during the fourth round. As he advances into the second week at Flushing Meadows, Alcaraz's forehand appears sharper than ever, reinforcing his status as the favorite to capture back-to-back US Open titles.
Alcaraz's player box has featured a tight-knit circle of coaches, family, and notable guests throughout his title defense. After parting ways with longtime mentor Juan Carlos Ferrero, his tennis strategy is now guided by new head coach Samuel Lopez, working alongside his longtime IMG agent, Albert Molina. Given the importance of his physical recovery after the wrist injury, trainers Juanjo Moreno and Alberto Lledó, physiotherapist Fran Rubio, and team doctor Juanjo López have rotated presence in the box to oversee his condition.
Family continues to play a central role in Alcaraz's tournament run. His older brother and hitting partner, Alvaro Alcaraz, has been a vocal presence during difficult moments in matches, sitting alongside their parents, Carlos Alcaraz González and Virginia Garfia Escandón, and younger brothers Jaime and Sergio Alcaraz.
The player box also drew significant attention when hip-hop artist Travis Scott sat in the front row next to Alcaraz's parents during his first-round match against Roman Safiullin. The appearance was part of a coordinated Nike promotional campaign called "Cactus Court," showcasing Alcaraz's custom apparel and sneakers designed in collaboration with Scott.
Heading into the quarterfinal, Alcaraz holds a perfect 3-0 record against Shelton. Their previous meetings include straight-set wins for Alcaraz on hard courts at the 2023 Toronto Masters and the 2024 Laver Cup. Their most competitive match came at the 2025 French Open, where Shelton took a set on clay before Alcaraz won in four sets.
Analysts expect Alcaraz to prevail once again. While Shelton's serve could help him win a set or force tiebreaks, Alcaraz's composure under pressure and consistency in long rallies are seen as decisive factors that should carry him into the semifinals.