With the US Open main draw around the corner, the practice courts at Flushing Meadows were already buzzing, with fans turning up in big numbers to watch Carlos Alcaraz get his final preparations in. Fan Week had opened the gates to spectators for free, and hundreds packed the stands, many hoping to grab an autograph.
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As Alcaraz signed for fans, he noticed a young girl being pressed against the barricade as the crowd surged forward. The Spaniard immediately moved toward her and alerted security, helping get the situation under control. His quick reaction may well have prevented the young fan from getting hurt in the crush.
The girl was pulled from the crowd and taken to a safer area, where Alcaraz checked on her, comforted her, and personally signed a ball before heading off. And with Alcaraz around, the autograph frenzy is hardly a surprise.
Even while spending much of the second quarter away from competition, he added 3.6 million social-media followers, with only soccer star Erling Haaland and F1 driver Lewis Hamilton gaining more among leading male athletes worldwide. And after four months without seeing him on Tour, fans finally had their chance in New York.
US Open Fan Week alone drew 239,307 people last year, up 10% from 2024, showing just how quickly free practice sessions and autograph areas can fill up when one of the sport’s biggest names is around. Notably, this isn’t the first time a young fan has found themselves caught in the chaos of an autograph rush.
Back in 2019 at the US Open, Rafael Nadal noticed a child struggling as fans pushed forward for his signature. Nadal stopped signing, helped get the child out of the crowd, and made sure he was okay. In fact, Roger Federer also faced a similar moment at the 2015 US Open.
The Swiss Maestro noticed a 10-year-old boy struggling in the crowd while waiting for an autograph. Federer alerted security and, like Nadal, made sure the young fan was safe before signing an autograph for him.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Alcaraz has come to the aid of a fan. During his first-round match at Wimbledon last year, he noticed a woman feeling unwell in the heat. He immediately paused play and brought over his water bottle. The moment stayed with the family, with the woman’s daughter later taking to social media to thank the Spaniard.
Moments like these have only strengthened Alcaraz’s bond with fans. Now, after a four-month injury layoff, “Carlitos” faces a much tougher challenge on court as he returns at a Major where he has already produced some of his best tennis.
Carlos Alcaraz Has Special Memories at the US Open
Alcaraz’s play in New York has been the best phenomenon in men’s tennis over the last few years. The Spaniard had his biggest moment in 2022, when he won the title in Flushing Meadows, making him the youngest No.1 in the history of the sport.
Not only winning the title, but Alcaraz’s on-court charisma matched the crowd energy on Arthur Ashe, especially when he and Jannik Sinner went at it for more than five hours in the quarterfinals, which offered the first glimpse of the Sincaraz rivalry to the tennis world.
Alcaraz also had one of his biggest career losses in New York when he lost to Botic Van de Zandschulp in the second round in 2024. However, the former World No.1 got his redemption last year, when he played one of his best Slams ever, ending with a win over Sinner in the final.
Alcaraz also has a tough draw ahead. The defending champion opens against Roman Safiullin, with Jenson Brooksby, Matteo Arnaldi, and Alexander Bublik among his possible early-round opponents.
If he goes deep, Ben Shelton, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev could be waiting later in the tournament.
Alcaraz will need to hit the ground running as the first match will give a fair idea about how well the injured wrist has recovered and whether the Spaniard is rusty, having not played on Tour since April.