In the midst of the 2025 French Open, where Carlos Alcaraz is defending his Roland Garros title, a different kind of spotlight has fallen on Victor Martinez, the Murcia-born barber known as “Victor Barber,” who has become an unexpected figure in tennis fandom. Martinez, the man behind Alcaraz’s iconic hairstyles, recently broke his silence on the wave of online criticism he’s faced for his cuts, revealing a lighthearted bond with the world No. 2 that transcends the negativity. “Carlos Alcaraz and I laugh at the bad comments,” Martinez shared, his tone brimming with amusement. “We have a good time looking at what people say, but it doesn’t affect us. We know it’s part of the game.” As Alcaraz powers through Paris, Martinez’s story adds a colorful layer to the Spaniard’s journey, blending small-town loyalty with the pressures of global stardom.
Martinez’s rise to fame began in Murcia, where he has run his barbershop for over a decade, catering to locals before Alcaraz, then a teenage prodigy, became a regular client. “I’ve been cutting Carlos’s hair since he was a kid,” Martinez recalled, describing their early days when Alcaraz’s dreams of Grand Slam glory were just taking shape. Their relationship deepened as Alcaraz’s star soared, with Martinez becoming a trusted confidant, traveling to tournaments like the 2024 Madrid Open to ensure the Spaniard’s signature look—often a sharp fade with a slicked-back top—remains on point. “He’s the same Carlos, always humble, always joking,” Martinez said, emphasizing the 21-year-old’s grounded nature despite his four Grand Slam titles, including the 2024 French Open and Wimbledon crowns.
The criticism of Martinez’s work erupted as Alcaraz’s global profile grew, with social media amplifying every detail of his appearance. Posts on X have oscillated between praise for Martinez’s bold cuts and scathing critiques, with some fans calling his styles “too flashy” or “distracting” for a tennis champion. One viral post even dubbed a recent Alcaraz haircut “a crime against Murcia,” sparking a polarized debate. Martinez, however, remains unfazed. “I don’t take it personally,” he said. “People have their opinions, but Carlos loves the cuts, and that’s what matters.” He explained that Alcaraz often requests creative designs, like the shaved patterns seen at the 2024 US Open, reflecting the player’s vibrant personality. “We’ll sit in the chair, scroll through ideas, and he’ll say, ‘Victor, let’s try this,’” Martinez added, chuckling at their collaborative process.
Alcaraz’s on-court success has only amplified the scrutiny on Martinez. After a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 first-round win over Giulio Zeppieri at Roland Garros, Alcaraz advanced to face Kei Nishikori, his confidence buoyed by a stellar clay season with titles in Barcelona and Rome. Off the court, his barber’s role has drawn parallels to the entourages of sports icons like David Beckham, whose hairstyles became cultural moments. Martinez, a father of two, finds the comparison surreal but embraces his niche fame. “I’m just a barber from Murcia, doing my job for a friend who happens to be a superstar,” he said. He credits Alcaraz’s family, particularly his parents and brother Alvaro, for keeping their circle tight, a dynamic that shields them from external noise.
The barber’s resilience has resonated with Alcaraz’s fanbase, with some on X calling Martinez “a real one” for shrugging off the hate. Others defend his craft, arguing that Alcaraz’s hairstyles—whether a sleek taper or a daring buzz—complement his electric playing style. “Carlos trusts me, and we have fun with it,” Martinez reiterated, dismissing any notion of changing his approach. As Alcaraz chases a second consecutive French Open title, facing a draw with Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic looming, Martinez plans to watch from Murcia, ready to cheer—and perhaps prepare the next viral haircut. Their shared laughter over the “bad comments” reveals a bond that transcends tennis, a testament to a friendship forged in a barbershop chair and thriving under the global spotlight.
# Carlos Alcaraz’s Barber Victor Martinez Laughs Off Criticism Amid French Open Run
In the midst of the 2025 French Open, where Carlos Alcaraz is defending his Roland Garros title, a different kind of spotlight has fallen on Victor Martinez, the Murcia-born barber known as “Victor Barber,” who has become an unexpected figure in tennis fandom. Martinez, the man behind Alcaraz’s iconic hairstyles, recently broke his silence on the wave of online criticism he’s faced for his cuts, revealing a lighthearted bond with the world No. 2 that transcends the negativity. “Carlos Alcaraz and I laugh at the bad comments,” Martinez shared, his tone brimming with amusement. “We have a good time looking at what people say, but it doesn’t affect us. We know it’s part of the game.” As Alcaraz powers through Paris, Martinez’s story adds a colorful layer to the Spaniard’s journey, blending small-town loyalty with the pressures of global stardom.
Martinez’s rise to fame began in Murcia, where he has run his barbershop for over a decade, catering to locals before Alcaraz, then a teenage prodigy, became a regular client. “I’ve been cutting Carlos’s hair since he was a kid,” Martinez recalled, describing their early days when Alcaraz’s dreams of Grand Slam glory were just taking shape. Their relationship deepened as Alcaraz’s star soared, with Martinez becoming a trusted confidant, traveling to tournaments like the 2024 Madrid Open to ensure the Spaniard’s signature look—often a sharp fade with a slicked-back top—remains on point. “He’s the same Carlos, always humble, always joking,” Martinez said, emphasizing the 21-year-old’s grounded nature despite his four Grand Slam titles, including the 2024 French Open and Wimbledon crowns.
The criticism of Martinez’s work erupted as Alcaraz’s global profile grew, with social media amplifying every detail of his appearance. Posts on X have oscillated between praise for Martinez’s bold cuts and scathing critiques, with some fans calling his styles “too flashy” or “distracting” for a tennis champion. One viral post even dubbed a recent Alcaraz haircut “a crime against Murcia,” sparking a polarized debate. Martinez, however, remains unfazed. “I don’t take it personally,” he said. “People have their opinions, but Carlos loves the cuts, and that’s what matters.” He explained that Alcaraz often requests creative designs, like the shaved patterns seen at the 2024 Open, reflecting the player’s vibrant personality. “We’ll sit in the chair, scroll through ideas, and he’ll say, ‘Victor, let’s try this,’” Martinez added, chuckling at their collaborative process.
Alcaraz’s on-court success has only amplified the scrutiny on Martinez. After a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 first-round win over Giulio Zeppieri at Roland Garros, Alcaraz advanced to face Kei Nishikori, his confidence buoyed by a stellar clay season with titles in Barcelona and Rome. Off the court, his barber’s role has drawn parallels to the entourages of sports icons like David Beckham, whose hairstyles became cultural moments. Martinez, a father of two, finds the comparison surreal but embraces his niche fame. “I’m just a barber from Murcia, doing my job for a friend,” he said. He credits Alcaraz’s family, particularly his parents and brother Alvaro, for keeping their circle tight, a dynamic that shields them from external noise.
As Alcaraz chases a second consecutive French Open title, facing a draw with Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic looming, Martinez plans to watch from Murcia, ready to cheer—and perhaps prepare the next viral haircut. Their shared laughter over the “bad comments” reveals a bond that transcends tennis, a testament to a friendship forged in a barbershop chair and thriving under the global spotlight.
Leave a Reply