Carlos Alcaraz may be one of the most likable players on the tour, but that doesn’t mean he won’t speak up when something feels off. During his Round of 16 match at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, the usually laid-back Spaniard had a tense exchange with the chair umpire — and it had nothing to do with his tennis.
Facing Luca Nardi, Alcaraz was in control from start to finish, cruising to a 6-1, 6-4 win. Despite Nardi putting up a fight in the second set, the five-time Grand Slam champion never looked seriously threatened. Still, the match may be remembered less for the scoreline and more for an unexpected sideline spat.
The issue? A water bottle.
Alcaraz had been drinking from an Evian bottle throughout the match. While Evian is a well-known brand with strong ties to tennis, it’s not an official sponsor of the Cincinnati Open. Midway through the match, umpire Greg Allensworth suddenly instructed Alcaraz to remove or cover the label, citing tournament sponsor rules.
Caught off guard, Alcaraz didn’t take the request lightly. Visibly irritated, he questioned why he was being penalized for something the umpire hadn’t noticed earlier.
Alcaraz: “Because of that (the Evian label), I have to put it in and out at every changeover?”
Allensworth: “It’s what we’ve been told because of the logo, the sponsors.”
Alcaraz: “But that wasn’t my fault. Why should it be covered when it wasn’t my fault?”
Allensworth: “It’s my fault because I didn’t catch it sooner.”
Alcaraz: “Because it’s your fault, I have to cover it? It doesn’t work like this. I have to pay for this because it’s your fault? No, I’m not going to cover it.”
While the disagreement didn’t escalate beyond words, Alcaraz made it clear he wasn’t happy about the situation — particularly if there was any risk of a fine. His frustration stemmed from the principle: why should he be penalized for an oversight that wasn’t his?
Though minor, the moment highlights the tension that can arise when branding rules collide with on-court routines. Sponsors pay big money for exclusivity, and even something as small as a water bottle label can cause a stir.
For Alcaraz, the victory keeps his Cincinnati campaign alive — but the heated exchange with the umpire may end up being the match’s lasting headline.
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