Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz is revered in his homeland. The 20-year-old Wimbledon champion often proudly exhibits his heritage, his bellow of ‘Vamos’ after every victory being an indication. He is also a self-professed fan of Rafael Nadal, who initiated the celebration. During the US Open, he confessed to liking New York for its vast Latin American population and even rendered a Sebastian Yatra song after his first-round victory.
Carlos Alcaraz was omitted from Spain’s Davis Cup Finals squad, with captain David Ferrer not wanting to overload the 2021 US Open champion with extra duty. This meant that Alcaraz had free time on his hands before he headed off to China for the China Open, which begins on September 25. The Spaniard flew back home after his exit from the US Open and his subsequent presence in the stadium of an oft-derided sport has left fans fuming.
Carlos Alcaraz draws criticism for bullfight attendance
Carlos Alcaraz attended a bullfight event on Monday (September 11) at the Plaza de Toros de La Condomina. His celebrity status meant he managed to get backstage access and snapped photos with the promotors of the event. In the stadium, he was seen shaking hands with the matador.
The meeting may have seemed like a lighthearted fan experience in Alcaraz’s own eyes, but the reaction on social media from the tennis community has been far from positive. Bullfighting has often been seen as a bloody sport that endangers the bull’s life. The anti-bullfighting movement has been active since the early 20th century and in more recent times, animal rights activists have derided the sport and politicians have criticised its connection to Spanish nationalism.
Tennis fans quickly took to social media to express their outrage at Alcaraz’s presence at the stadium, with many calling the world no.2 out for supporting a bloody and harmful sport.
“It goes beyond ‘culture’ and ‘heritage’,” one fan said.
“This is among the worst scandalous public appearances I can think of… such a useless and tyrannical activity, I can’t believe it’s legal in 2023,” another exclaimed.
Carlos Alcaraz smiling and enjoying a bullfight in Murcia. He took some friendly photos with the organisers too.
Just terrible @carlosalcaraz đđź
If anybody doesn't understand the severity of bullfighting, please do some research online, it goes beyond "culture" and "tradition". https://t.co/C9VfmxOQZP
— Swish đ (@Zwxsh) September 12, 2023
Comment
byu/TXDobber from discussion
intennis
Bullfighting it still acceptable in 2023? https://t.co/MeLJJltOBE
— DenizTheTennis (@denizthetenis) September 12, 2023
Alcaraz may have tried to express his solidarity with the country through attending a traditional and culturally historical sport but many fans found fault with such a connotation of an ethically and morally ambiguous sport. The former world no.1 is recuperating from a disappointing exit from the US Open in the semifinals.
Alcaraz’s US Open journey ended with a loss to Daniil Medvedev
Carlos Alcaraz had a near-perfect hard-court season in 2023. He reached the final of the Cincinnati Open and entered the US Open as one of the favorites. He proved his stature and mantle by steamrolling opponents in his path towards the semifinal. His first real test came in the quarterfinals against 12th seed Alexander Zverev, which he passed with flying colors by winning in straight sets. Thus, he was seen as the favourite in his semifinal match against Daniil Medvedev.
However, Medvedev brought his best game to the fore in the Arthur Ashe Stadium. His mighty forehands and nimble backhand slices countered every attempt at subjugation from Alcaraz. The world no.2’s slices were met with ease by an athletic Medvedev and the Russian’s baseline proficiency ended up being too hot to handle for Alcaraz. The Spaniard did manage to up his game and seal the third set in his favour but the damage was done earlier in the day, and Medvedev efficiently closed out the match in four sets.
In the end, Medvedev won 7-6 (3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
âIâm going to change my mind,â Alcaraz said after the tense battle. âIâm not mature enough to handle these kinds of matches.â
What do you think about Carlos Alcaraz’s presence in the bullfighting stadium? Is it a PR disaster for the Spaniard? Let us know in the comments section below.
