ATP Carlos Alcaraz Ben Shelton Stefanos Tsitsipas US Open 2026

Alcaraz didn't know his next opponent would be Tsitsipas or Shelton: "Can you repeat that for me?"

Andrés Tomás Rico - 7 Sep 2026
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Alcaraz didn't know his next opponent would be Tsitsipas or Shelton: "Can you repeat that for me?"

Carlos Alcaraz is already in the quarter-finals of the US Open after sweeping Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 and giving the impression that neither time has passed nor that he has been out of the circuit for more than four months due to a wrist injury. The Spaniard continues to weave increasingly finer strokes, his forehand is still flying, and his defensive resistance remains as strong as ever. And now that he is in the second week of the New York Grand Slam, his chances of defending the title are increasing.

However, he will face two rivals that, whoever they may be, will make him suffer: Ben Shelton or Stefanos Tsitsipas. The American is one of the main contenders for the title, plays at home, and his game on hard courts is more aggressive than on any other surface. Meanwhile, the Greek has been reborn in New York. After being on the verge of falling out of the Top 100 a few months ago, he seems to have found his tennis again and poses a threat to deliver one of the tournament's surprises.

Alcaraz thought his opponent would come from the match between Medvedev and Tiafoe

The best part is that everyone knew that Alcaraz's next opponent would come from this match, except for Carlitos himself. During his time on the ESPN set, Andy Roddick asked him if he was going to watch the match and what he thought of the challenges each could present. The expression on the Murcian's face was priceless because he didn't understand anything.

“What? Can you repeat that?” And Roddick insisted. “You are going to play against Shelton or Tsitsipas. Maybe you could give us some thoughts on both and the challenges they present.” It was at that moment that the player from El Palmar realized that he didn't know: “Oh my god, I thought I was going to play against the winner of Medvedev - Tiafoe”. To which the former American tennis player added with laughter: “Surprise!”.

Both Alcaraz and Roddick broke into laughter, and the Spaniard wrapped up the situation as best he could by assuring that he would indeed watch the match. So now he knows that his opponent in the US Open quarter-finals will be Ben Shelton or Stefanos Tsitsipas.
 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz no sabía que su próximo rival sería Tsistipas o Shelton: "¿Me lo puedes repetir?"