The 2025 US Open is not only making headlines for the level of tennis and sporting rivalries, but also for an unprecedented event that has shaken the world of sports and business. The protagonist of this story is none other than Carlos Alcaraz , current world number one, and American businessman Tim Cook , CEO of Apple and one of the most influential personalities on the planet.

According to sources close to the tournament, Cook would have made a multi-million dollar proposal to the young Murcian tennis player: a sponsorship contract valued at 199 million dollars , with a very specific condition: that Alcaraz become a global ambassador for a pro-LGBT campaign promoted by Apple, and that he agree to wear messages and symbols of inclusion in the US Open stadium, as well as in every important international match in which he participated.

The news hit like a bombshell. The contract specified that Apple would fund not only Alcaraz’s personal promotion, but also social projects linked to diversity and equality in sports. If finalized, this would be one of the most lucrative deals in tennis history, surpassing even legendary contracts like those of Roger Federer with Uniqlo or Serena Williams with Nike.

A Forbes financial analyst summed it up this way:
“We’ve never seen such an aggressive movement in sports. Tim Cook wants Apple to not only sponsor, but lead a global cultural conversation with Alcaraz as its central figure.”

The Murcia native, who at 22 has already accumulated Grand Slam titles and the affection of millions of fans around the world, suddenly found himself at the center of a debate much larger than tennis. Should an athlete become a spokesperson for a social or political cause?

Opinions quickly divided. In Spain, some saw it as a historic opportunity for Alcaraz to transcend the field and become an icon of inclusion. Others, however, warned of the risk of his sporting image being overshadowed by the controversy.

One fan commented on social media: “We want to see Carlos lift trophies, not banners.”
Another responded: “Why not both? Being an elite athlete also means being a social figure.”

Amidst the speculation, Carlos Alcaraz decided to speak out. He did so with an official statement released through his press team. His message was brief, but it left everyone speechless:

“My commitment will always be to tennis, to my values, and to respect for everyone. Sport unites, not divides.”

Seven key words from his statement— tennis, values, respect, sport, unites, not divides —were enough to generate a wave of reactions around the world.

The statement was greeted with applause by a vast majority of fans and experts, who saw it as a sign of maturity from a player who doesn’t need to shout to make his position clear. On social media, hashtags like #RespetoAlcaraz and #ElDeporteUne became global trends.

Even tennis figures such as Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have reportedly privately expressed their admiration for the young Spaniard’s handling of the pressure.

A Guardian columnist wrote:
“Alcaraz neither accepted nor rejected the proposal directly. He cleverly put the ball back in the court of those who want to use sport as an ideological showcase.”

Meanwhile, Tim Cook himself has not issued any immediate comment. Internal sources at Apple confirm that the proposal was made and that the contract remains “on the table,” pending Alcaraz and his team’s final decision.

The American press is speculating that this episode could mark a turning point in the relationship between large multinational corporations and elite athletes.

Some observers point out that the episode combines both verifiable facts—Apple’s intention to increase its visibility in sports—and elements that border on media fiction, amplified by the echoes of social media. What is undeniable is that Carlos Alcaraz has demonstrated, once again, that his strength lies not only in his drive or volley, but also in his ability to remain calm amidst the chaos.

The 2025 US OPEN will be remembered not only for its epic matches, but also for this episode that brought the relationship between money, sports, and social causes to the forefront of debate.

Carlos Alcaraz, at just 22 years old, is no longer just a tennis champion: he’s a model of how respect and serenity can prevail over any external pressure.