Carlos Alcaraz Uses Some Behind-the-Back Magic to Reach the US Open Quarterfinals

Carlos Alcaraz Uses Some Behind-the-Back Magic to Reach the US Open Quarterfinals
Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, reacts during his match against Arthur Rinderknech, of France, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in New York. Heather Khalifa/AP Photo
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NEW YORK—Carlos Alcaraz hit a behind-the-back shot at the U.S. Open to win a point in a 7-6 (3), 6-3, 6-4 victory over Arthur Rinderknech on Sunday that made the Spaniard the youngest man in the Open era to reach 13 Grand Slam quarterfinals.

“Sometimes, I practice it. I’m not going to lie,” the No. 2-seeded Alcaraz said about the bit of wizardry he delivered in the first set. “But I mean, I don’t practice it, like, too many times. Just in practice, if the opportunity is there, I will try. In the match, it’s kind of the same. If I have the opportunity, why not?”