Carlos Alcaraz has brought a little more style to Arthur Ashe Stadium. The defending champion stepped onto court at 11:00 PM local time against Ben Shelton in a fresh all-black Nike outfit, adding yet another look to his growing collection at the US Open 2026. And now, it is becoming difficult to keep up with the Spaniard’s wardrobe.
Carlos Alcaraz New US Open 2026 Kit Today
From blue and black combinations earlier in the tournament to this darker, sharper look, Alcaraz has seemingly had a new answer for every night in New York.
QUÉ AURA 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/aoqnc6fmF5
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2026
This time, the 23-year-old has gone completely black.
#USOpen pic.twitter.com/g2Cwmt0BTI
— Carlos Alcaraz • 4K (@Alcaraz4K) September 9, 2026
The new CJ x Nike kit gives Alcaraz a sleek, understated look, with the Spaniard looking every bit the part under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights. The outfit has already caught the attention of fans online, with one simple description fitting the moment perfectly: “Lord of the Night,” as quoted by one of the fans on X.
A big forehand from Ben early! pic.twitter.com/7igx86agij
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2026
But the black kit was not the only talking point.
#USOpen pic.twitter.com/grQYVgNOEw
— Carlos Alcaraz • 4K (@Alcaraz4K) September 9, 2026
Carlos Alcaraz vs Ben Shelton To Finish Late Night
The quarterfinal was pushed deep into the night after Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro’s all-American women’s quarterfinal took longer than expected. Pegula eventually completed a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 comeback win, reaching her third straight US Open semifinal.
Alcaraz and Shelton were originally scheduled as the second match of the night session, with a 9 p.m. local start time. Instead, the Spaniard did not walk onto court until around 11:05 p.m. in New York, adding another chapter to the growing conversation around late-night finishes at the US Open. The tournament has already faced criticism this year over matches stretching well beyond midnight.
Once the match finally began, there was little between the two. Alcaraz entered the quarterfinal with a 3-0 record against American opponents at Grand Slam level. The American, however, came in with plenty of confidence after crushing Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, had dropped just one set all tournament and was continuing his title defence after returning from a four-month injury layoff.
Under the Arthur Ashe lights, the score is currenly tied at 5-5 in the first set at the time of writing.
