Carlos Alcaraz breezed past Jiri Lehecka in straight sets at the US Open, securing a spot in the semi-finals with a confident 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 victory. But instead of focusing solely on his next tennis opponent, Alcaraz turned his attention to a different kind of competition—golf. During his on-court interview, the world No. 2 jokingly called out former British No. 1 Tim Henman, declaring that he would beat him in an upcoming round on the fairways.

Golf as a way to unwind

Alcaraz has made golf a regular part of his downtime during tournaments, often using it to relax and reset between matches. With two days off before facing Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, he revealed plans to play with Spanish golf legend Sergio Garcia and his fitness trainer Juanjo Moreno. Laughing with the crowd, Alcaraz said Garcia would need to give him “10 to 15 shots” to make the match fair, admitting he’s not quite at pro level yet.

Henman responds with banter

Henman, watching from the Sky Sports studio, didn’t let the challenge go unanswered. He recalled a previous golf outing where Alcaraz played alongside Juan Carlos Ferrero, Andy Murray, and others, but noted that he hadn’t yet faced Alcaraz directly. With a grin, Henman fired back, saying, “We’ve seen he’s a dreamer with some of those shots on court, and clearly he’s dreaming on the golf course as well.” The friendly rivalry added a light-hearted twist to the serious business of Grand Slam tennis.

Confidence on and off the court

Alcaraz’s bold claim to beat Henman reflects the same fearless attitude he brings to the tennis court. Known for his aggressive style and joyful energy, he has embraced the pressure of high-level competition with a smile. His ability to balance intensity with levity has made him a fan favorite and a formidable opponent. Whether on the court or the course, Alcaraz continues to show that he’s not afraid to challenge legends—no matter the sport.

Focus shifts back to Djokovic

While the golf banter provided a moment of levity, Alcaraz knows the real challenge lies ahead. His upcoming clash with Novak Djokovic promises to be one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. With his routine of golf and recovery firmly in place, Alcaraz hopes to carry his momentum into the semi-finals. For now, the playful rivalry with Henman adds another layer to his dynamic presence at the US Open.

Alcaraz at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2025

Ranked no.2, Carlos achieved an overall 59-6 win-loss record in 2025. Carlos is currently competing at the U.S. Open where he overcame the world no.67 Reilly Opelka 6-4 7-5 6-4, the world no.65 Mattia Bellucci 6-1 6-0 6-3, the world no.34 Luciano Darderi 6-2 6-4 6-0, the world no.82 Arthur Rinderknech 7-6(3) 6-3 6-4 and the world no.21 Jiri Lehecka 6-4 6-2 6-4.

Carlos Alcaraz will compete against the world no.7 Novak Djokovic in the semifinal. The head to head is 5-3 for Djokovic.

Carlos conquered 6 titles in 2025 in Rotterdam, Monte-Carlo, Rome, French Open, London and Cincinnati. Carlos reached the final in Barcelona (Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell) and in Wimbledon.

Alcaraz won 23 titles in his career: 6 on hard courts, 11 on clay courts, 2 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)