Carlos Alcaraz was the subject of jokes and trolling from soccer fans on X (formerly Twitter) because of a namesake. News regarding an Argentine soccer player bearing the same name as the Spaniard led fans on the internet to joke that losing to Alexander Zverev made the latter change sports.
Coming in as one of the title favorites, Alcaraz’s campaign in the 2024 Australian Open was disappointing. Until the quarterfinals, he did not face any seeded players. #6 seed Zverev, his quarter-final opponent, was the first seeded name he faced and he ended up losing. The German inflicted a bagel upon the World No.2 en route to a 6-1, 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-4 win.
Soccer fans touched upon this defeat when joking around Alcaraz’s namesake in their sport. Reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano announced a transfer update for Carlos Alcaraz, the Argentine soccer player. Some X users used this as an opportunity to show their funny bone. One said the defeat against Zverev caused the two-time Grand Slam winner to switch sports.
Bro got owned by Zverev and decided to switch sports
— Freddy (@freddyCR7LA) January 30, 2024
I’ve seen his game against Zverev and I’m not convinced. You’re taking risks there Juventus. https://t.co/0r7EQmcvcz
— Nicolini (@DaKevoox) January 31, 2024
Didn’t he play tennis?
— GolazoooPT (@GolazoooPT) January 30, 2024
Me when I saw Carlos Alcaraz pic.twitter.com/a601Lz1lkZ
— Ghost Tips (@The_Ghosted) January 30, 2024
They signing a tennis player
— aIex (@ica_v3) January 30, 2024
It’s okay @carlosalcaraz few bad results don’t mean you have to change sports
— Blank (@Real_Panduman) January 31, 2024
I only saw the text and was very confused https://t.co/r2SKqWqpcU pic.twitter.com/9yZlixSDlY
— James (@JamesCule11) January 30, 2024
the way i thought we were signing the tennis player and got confused as hell https://t.co/I8OoJLgITx
— Cheryl (@schumacheryl) January 31, 2024
Few months out of form and he’s gone for a whole career change. Tennis really ain’t for the weak. https://t.co/96kjXPuDVL
— Suhayb (@SubzB) January 31, 2024
One fan joked Alcaraz plays tennis during the day and soccer at night. Another light-heartedly tipped Holger Rune to rule tennis since Alcaraz switched to tennis, Jannik Sinner joined Ferrari, and Novak Djokovic has aged.
sinner is becoming a ferrari driver, alcaraz is becoming a juve player, djokovic is 100 years old. holger rune the future is yours https://t.co/Bgst9fvfjh
— mila (@BLVDLINES) January 31, 2024
Bro winning grand slams by day and plays football at night
— Los (@HashtagLos) January 30, 2024
That’s how good he is. Playing tennis and football at the same time https://t.co/Qf9Bt4Tz8a
— Emre Akbas (@EmreKaanAkbas) January 31, 2024
Damn! Tennis and football
This guy can do it all https://t.co/4zW68NkTn8
— Nizer (@UTDNizer) January 31, 2024
Another X user photoshopped Carlos Alcaraz, the tennis star, on to Carlos Alcaraz, the soccer player.
Gran colpo dei #gobbi #Juventus https://t.co/xOMwmZtFpa pic.twitter.com/PcVwgtbu3u
— YoRoi Juricismo (@C_Roy_75) January 31, 2024
The Argentine midfielder is reportedly set to join Juventus in Italy. Ahead of the 2023 ATP Finals, the Turin-based club’s players overwhelmingly backed Djokovic over Alcaraz to lift the title. Eight players picked the Serb, and were proved right as he went on to win a record seventh year-ending championship. Only two voted for the Spaniard, who made it to the semifinals in his debut campaign.
