Carlos Alcaraz cruised to another straight-sets victory at the 2025 US Open, but it was a move he made when the match got tight that has everyone talking. After his opponent broke his serve, Alcaraz called for a medical timeout. Was it a legitimate injury concern, or a strategic move to kill momentum?
His post-match explanation only added fuel to the fire, leaving fans wondering about the gamesmanship of the young superstar.
What Did Carlos Alcaraz Say About the Timeout?
During the second set of his third-round match against Luciano Darderi, a match he won 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 in just one hour and 44 minutes, Alcaraz called for the physio. The move came right after the 32nd-seeded Italian broke his serve. After the match, their first meeting on the ATP Tour, the Spaniard explained the call was just a precaution.
“I’m feeling good. Just a precaution that I asked for the physio when he broke my serve in the last point. I felt something that wasn’t working good in the knee. I asked for the physio just to take care about the knee because it was 1 set left, I had to be ready and feeling good physically. Precaution. I’m gonna talk with my team, but I’m not worried about it,” Alcaraz said.
His candid explanation for the timeout caught the attention of the tennis world, and many fans took to social media to question the tactic. One fan humorously suggested that the star should be less open about his on-court strategy.
“he needs to stop sharing too much istg,” a fan posted.
he needs to stop sharing too much istg https://t.co/N3vPtoeTFq
— 𝒜𝓂 (@msnonsensse) August 29, 2025
Another pointed out that his phrasing in English made it sound like he was using the timeout to stop Darderi‘s momentum.
“His language struggle making it look as if he faked an injury coz darderi broke him lol .. he really needs to do a full on English course on off season & get fluent quickly ffs 😭,” that fan wrote.
His language struggle making it look as if he faked an injury coz darderi broke him lol .. he really needs to do a full on English course on off season & get fluent quickly ffs 😭 https://t.co/vFUARbhpZq
— z N e D (@MadMart05) August 29, 2025
Here are some other fan reactions:
“Carlos is a funny man 😭😭💀. He knew exactly what he was doing,” a fan posted.
Carlos is a funny man 😭😭💀. He knew exactly what he was doing https://t.co/QM2ac6l6Y7
— 🤍LISA🤍 (@checkthetea) August 29, 2025
“He straight up admitted he did it to make the opponent lose rhythm,” another fan wrote.
He straight up admitted he did it to make the opponent lose rhythm https://t.co/Dbn0qUmrlN pic.twitter.com/lRISjRtuYz
— Cate • HF (@hfendiprada) August 29, 2025
“It seems he tried to change the momentum of the game and rhythm of the opponent. It’s allowed, but I don’t like it,” one user posted.
“He just wanted to disrupt the game when he got broken? Come on Alcaraz don’t start imitating Rune…” a fan commented.
“So was the call for the physio needed or a strategic move?” another fan asked.
So was the call for the physio needed or a strategic move?
— Elena 🇺🇸 (@Eleanor04066972) August 29, 2025
“LMAOO now why would you say that 💀,” a user wrote.
Beyond his singles run, Alcaraz also played in the mixed doubles at the 2025 US Open with Emma Raducanu. After receiving a wildcard entry, they lost in the first round to the top-seeded team of Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, 4-2, 4-2.
Who Will Alcaraz Face in the Fourth Round?
After his victory over Darderi, Alcaraz will face Arthur Rinderknech in the fourth round of the tournament.
Rinderknech started his run at the New York Major with a 7-6(2), 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 win over Roberto Carballés Baena. He followed that up by knocking out 18th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina before punching his ticket to the fourth round by beating his countryman Benjamin Bonzi 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2.
Alcaraz and Rinderknech have played each other three times on the ATP Tour, with the Spaniard winning all three matchups. Their last meeting was in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Queen’s Club Championships, where Alcaraz won 7-5, 6-4.
The Spaniard went on to win that tournament, beating Jiří Lehečka in the final to claim his second Queen’s Club title and 21st career ATP Tour title.
The winner of the upcoming match between Alcaraz and Rinderknech at Flushing Meadows will advance to the quarterfinals to face either Adrian Mannarino or 20th seed Lehečka.
