Carlos Alcaraz made a winning start at the Qatar Open, defeating Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4 in the opening round on Monday. But it was his post-match showdown with NBA star Jimmy Butler that stole the show.
The two-time Grand Slam champion handled tough windy conditions and a resilient Cilic, breaking serve in a marathon 18-minute seventh game of the first set. Alcaraz then recovered from 0-40 down in the second, winning 15 of the last 19 points to seal victory in one hour, 38 minutes.
“I’m really happy to stay calm in that moment, do my routine, and make good shots,” Alcaraz said. “Marin puts a lot of pressure when you’re serving, he’s a great returner.”
NBA Meets Tennis:
Butler, recently traded to the Golden State Warriors, opted to skip the NBA All-Star Game and flew to Doha to watch Alcaraz live. After the match, he joined Alcaraz on court, exchanging shots in a lighthearted exhibition. The highlight? Butler attempting a between-the-legs trick shot—but missing.
Other Qatar Open Highlights:
- Jiri Lehecka upset seventh-seed Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-4, securing his 11th ATP win of 2025, tying Alex de Minaur and Miomir Kecmanovic for the tour lead.
- Alcaraz will face Zhang Zhizhen or Luca Nardi in the second round.
As Alcaraz looks to build momentum, his Qatar Open campaign is off to a strong—and entertaining—start.
