Tennis fans split as Carlos Alcaraz blasted for ‘bad form’ celebration

Carlos Alcaraz began the defence of his Miami Open title by thrashing Facundo Bagnis 6-0 6-2 on Friday in little over an hour. But tennis fans are split after the world No 1 was seen pumping his fist in the air to celebrate winners after he had won the first eight games of the match.

Alcaraz has been in imperious form recently and won his first Grand Slam title last year when he lifted the US Open trophy in September. The 19-year-old has lost just one of his 16 matches this year and had far too much for Bagnis, who is ranked at No 100 in the world.

Alcaraz clearly takes every point of every match seriously, with a video posted to Twitter showing the ace celebrating vociferously during the match, despite holding a huge lead. And fans have given their reactions to the clip.

“So odd, Carlitos fist pumping and Vamosing like a madman up 6-0 2-0,” wrote @Shaptennispod after sharing the video. “Unnecessary. Bad form.” And in a separate tweet, he added: “I enjoy a properly timed fistpump. The fist pumping at 8-0 is out of control and inappropriate.” @hannahkieran replied by writing: “He is a talented player, he is humble off court, but somehow I don’t really like his manner on court either.”

Meanwhile, @martinwilson73 agreed as he penned: “This is what I can’t stand about him.” And @TheJoyOfADeuce added: “Sadly a common theme with him. Badly advised kid. Phenomenal player but unsufferable masculinity show. Pfff annoying.”

But many fans leapt to the defence of the youngster, with @AlistairJeffs hitting back: “Maybe there was something he was trying in that point that he was working on with his team that he was happy about? I don’t think it was an in-your face fist pump.”

And @Princess0937 wrote: “Sorry but like most everyone in the comments this is a hot take. If u think big 3 didn’t do this when routing an opponent you are sadly mistaken. Ppl are not doing as a celebration is more for oneself. You can’t control ur opponent but u can control yourself. So thereby keeping up ur level consistently. Showing no matter the opponent you respect that if my level dips they can come back. It’s more to keep going show the nah sayers I belong here.”

Meanwhile, @dhruvkanal penned: “Haha. He has every right and it’s about pumping himself for a flawless display and not at all aimed at his opponent.” And@TennisTweetts1 added: “Imagine getting upset over the mildest fist pump. Leave Carlitos alone.”

Alcaraz will next be in action when he takes on Serbian 32-year-old Dusan Lajovic in the Miami Open last-32, and it will be intriguing to see whether he alters his on-court demeanour or not in the face of the mild criticism.