Carlos Alcaraz’s straight-sets victory over Novak Djokovic in the US Open semifinal was already a career highlight, but the evening took on an extra layer of excitement when NBA star Jimmy Butler appeared backstage to congratulate him. The Golden State Warriors forward, known for his love of tennis, greeted the 22-year-old Spaniard with a warm hug and a broad smile. Their exchange was filled with laughter, mutual respect, and the kind of easy camaraderie that comes from a genuine friendship.
A Friendship Across Sports
Butler and Alcaraz have built a connection that extends beyond the court. The two first crossed paths years ago, and Butler has since been a regular supporter at Alcaraz’s matches. During their backstage meeting, Butler joked about wanting to be a better friend and promised to attend Wimbledon next summer. Alcaraz responded with equal warmth, clearly enjoying the lighthearted banter. Their conversation touched on travel plans, shared experiences, and the challenges of their respective sports.
Butler’s Continued Support
This was not Butler’s first time showing up for Alcaraz. He has been spotted at multiple tournaments, sometimes even participating in exhibition events with the young champion. His presence at the US Open semifinal added to the buzz surrounding the match, with cameras capturing his reactions throughout the evening. Fans on social media praised the cross-sport friendship, noting how rare and refreshing it is to see such genuine support between athletes from different worlds.
Alcaraz’s Path to the Final
The win over Djokovic marked Alcaraz’s first hard-court triumph against the 24-time Grand Slam champion. He credited his strong serving and consistent play as key factors in the victory. The result extended his winning streak to 12 matches and put him within reach of reclaiming the world number one ranking. With a potential final against Jannik Sinner looming, Alcaraz’s focus remains sharp, but the joyful moment with Butler served as a reminder that even in the high-pressure world of professional tennis, friendships can thrive.
Make the final ✅
Go meetup with @JimmyButler ✅Have a day, @carlosalcaraz! pic.twitter.com/L1QwZq2w5J
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2025
Alcaraz at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2025
LWWWWLWWWW Now the world no.2, the Spaniard achieved a compiled 60-6 record in 2025. Carlos is now having a run at the U.S. Open where he toppled 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, the world no.21 Jiri Lehecka 6-4 6-2 6-4 and the world no.7 Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-6(4) 6-2.
Carlos Alcaraz will fight against the world no.1 Jannik Sinner in the final. Their record is 10-5 for Alcaraz.
Carlos has won 6 titles in 2025 in Rotterdam, Monte-Carlo, Rome, French Open, London and Cincinnati. The Spaniard was the finalist in Barcelona (Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell) and in Wimbledon.
The Spaniard 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)
