In a surprising turn of events, Jimmy Butler, the newly traded Golden State Warriors star, made a special appearance at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha during the NBA All-Star break. Butler, a huge tennis fan and friend of world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, was invited onto the court after Alcaraz’s impressive first-round victory over Marin Cilic.
The two athletes, both wearing microphones, engaged in a friendly exchange that thrilled fans in attendance and those watching online. Butler even attempted a daring between-the-legs shot, although he missed the mark. Despite this, the moment was a dream come true for Butler, who expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play against Alcaraz in front of a large audience.
Alcaraz, who was focused and composed throughout his match against Cilic, later faced qualifier Luca Nardi in the next round. The encounter with Butler added an extra layer of excitement to his tournament experience. Butler’s presence on the court highlighted his passion for tennis and his admiration for Alcaraz’s talent.
The unexpected appearance of Butler in Doha and his interaction with Alcaraz showcased the camaraderie and mutual respect between athletes from different sports. It was a memorable moment for both players and fans alike, demonstrating the universal appeal of sports and the joy it brings to people around the world.
Alcaraz in Doha, ranking, and results in 2025
Ranked world no.3, Alcaraz has an overall 10-1 record in 2025. The Spaniard is currently playing in Doha where he defeated the world no.192 Marin Cilic 6-4 6-4
.Carlos Alcaraz will square off with the world no.85 Luca Nardi in the 2nd round on Wednesday at 8:00 pm on CENTER COURT. In the past, they have never competed against each other till now in top tournaments.
Alcaraz clinched 1 title in 2025 in Rotterdam.
Carlos won 18 titles in his career: 5 on hard courts, 8 on clay courts, 2 on indoor courts and 3 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
He is also scheduled to play in Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open) on the 3rd of March and Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open) on the 5th of March.