Carlos Alcaraz enjoyed another dominant day at the US Open on Tuesday, easing past Jiri Lehecka in straight sets before turning his attention to an unusual challenge: a golf showdown with Tim Henman.
The world No 2 brushed aside Lehecka 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium to book his place in the semi-finals, watched courtside by Spanish golfing icon Sergio Garcia.
With two days to recover before his next match, Alcaraz revealed that his downtime will once again involve hitting the fairways.
Speaking in his on-court interview with Sky Sports after the win, Alcaraz promised to arrange another round of golf with avid golfer and former British No 1 Henman.
Carlos Alcaraz will play Tim Henman at golf prior to his US Open semi-final clash with Novak Djokovic
|GETTY
The 22-year-old even went as far as to guarantee victory when the two finally square off.
“We just set up a round, four people already, so Tim, we are going to set it up, one against you, don’t worry! I will beat you,” Alcaraz joked, laughing as he called out the pundit.
Henman, watching from the Sky Sports studio alongside Laura Robson, quickly fired back with some good-natured banter.
The former world No 4 recalled their last golf day earlier in the summer, when Alcaraz and coach Juan Carlos Ferrero joined Andy Murray, Alex de Minaur, and Lleyton Hewitt for a friendly match.
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“I didn’t actually get the chance to play Carlos that time,” Henman explained.
“But I look forward to the opportunity. He’s talking very confidently, but let’s see what happens when we’re out on the course.”
Presenter Gigi Salmon stoked the rivalry further, pointing out that Alcaraz’s bold claims mirrored his fearless style on the tennis court.
Henman couldn’t resist another playful jab: “We’ve seen he’s a dreamer with some of those shots on court, and clearly he’s dreaming on the golf course as well.
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Carlos Alcaraz calls out Tim Henman at golf 🤣⛳ pic.twitter.com/xV8IxdIScP
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) September 2, 2025
"Please pass it on! His swing looks good with a tennis racket, but I’ll be the judge of his golf swing.”
Alcaraz, who often uses golf to unwind during tournaments, insisted he won’t be changing his winning formula.
“It’s working well, so why should I change the routine?” he told the Ashe crowd.
“Every day off, I try to go and play some golf. Tomorrow I have a really tough one against Juanki [his fitness trainer Juanjo Moreno], and Sergio Garcia is there as well.
"He has to give me 10 to 15 shots though, I’m not that good. Come on, Sergio!”
For now, Alcaraz can afford to enjoy a light-hearted rivalry away from the court.
But with a semi-final looming, the Spaniard knows the real challenge lies ahead.
Alcaraz will do battle with Novak Djokovic in the last four after the Serb booked his own place in the semi-finals with a four-set victory over Taylor Fritz.
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Carlos Alcaraz will play Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the US Open after the Serb overcame Taylor Fritz
|REUTERS
Djokovic hasn't won a major since securing US Open glory in 2023.
But his performances at Flushing Meadows this summer mean another triumph, and a 25th Grand Slam title, can't yet be ruled out.