"I wanted to try playing with a mustache to see how I looked," Alcaraz said after his 6-3, 6-3 victory over Juan Manuel Cerundolo on 11/10. "I told them if I won the tournament, everyone had to grow a mustache when we came to Shanghai. We don't know how long we'll keep them, but right now, the whole group is having fun and laughing."

His new look quickly became a topic of discussion on social media. The Spanish player seemed to enjoy this experiment. After defeating Cerundolo, he signed the camera lens with "Moustache team!", reiterating the bet with his team.

Alcaraz during his victory over Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round of the Shanghai Masters at Qizhong Stadium, Shanghai, China, on 10/10. Photo: Reuters

Alcaraz had just defended his Japan Open title by defeating Jiri Lehecka in the final on 6/10. Upon arriving in China, he shaved the beard he had worn in Tokyo, keeping only the mustache. Combined with his long hair and basketball-style attire, the mustache gave Alcaraz a distinct appearance on court. He began wearing this type of outfit upon his return at the US Open, after more than four months away due to a wrist injury.

For Alcaraz, appearance and attire also contribute to his confidence. He believes feeling satisfied with what he wears helps him feel more comfortable each time he steps onto the court. "Currently, I've changed things a bit, trying to choose the outfits I'll wear for matches, and I'm very happy with them," he added. "I feel comfortable and confident. Because of that, I want to play well, go deep in tournaments, so I can wear them as much as possible."

Alcaraz carried his confidence from the Tokyo championship to Shanghai. He defeated Cerundolo in two sets, despite having only two days to adapt to the new conditions and not having practiced on the center court before the match. The initial games became a period of both playing and understanding the court speed. Alcaraz admitted he wasn't comfortable initially and struggled to find his rhythm before adjusting his play. "Then I realized I had to play aggressively, coming to the net as much as possible. I think that approach worked," he recounted.

The victory indicates Alcaraz continues to regain his form after a long injury layoff. The Tokyo championship was his first individual title since 2/2026, secured in just his third tournament back. However, Alcaraz believes he can still elevate his game in Shanghai. "The first match in any tournament is never easy. The conditions here are quite different from Tokyo," he noted. "I'm satisfied, and let's see if I can play a bit better in the next round."

In the third round on 12/10, Alcaraz will face Zizou Bergs, the Belgian player who reached the quarterfinals in Shanghai last year before losing to Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz won in two sets in their only previous encounter, at Tokyo in 2025. If he advances, he will meet defending champion Valentin Vacherot or Tommy Paul.

The Shanghai Masters, a hard-court tournament, runs from 7/10 to 18/10, featuring 96 players in the men's singles draw. It is part of the nine Masters 1000 series events. Shanghai, Canada, and Paris are the three tournaments in this series that Alcaraz has yet to win. He is also aiming to become the first Spanish male player to triumph in Shanghai.

Vy Anh