"This is getting pretty cringe at this point" - Tennis fans surprised by Carlos Alcaraz imitating Rafael Nadal's water bottle habits

Several tennis fans have criticized Carlos Alcaraz for allegedly copying Rafael Nadal's habit of lining up his water bottles.

Nadal, as most of in the tennis world are aware, is practically obsessed with placing his water bottles in a certain order during his matches. The Spaniard is always seen taking a sip from each of his two bottles and then placing them in a specific position.

Carlos Alcaraz, who defeated 10th seed Karen Khachanov, 6-4, 7-5 in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open on Wednesday, replicated the same habit. That garnered reactions from tennis fans all over the world, with one Twitter user calling the teenager's behavior "cringe."

"This is getting pretty cringeeee at this point, we already saw him copy Nadal in the past, but bet no one expected his bottles ritual to be copied. We truly will never see another Djokovic, Nadal or Federer," they wrote.

This is getting pretty cringeeee at this point, we already saw him copy Nadal in the past, but bet no one expected his bottles ritual to be copied. We truly will never see another Djokovic, Nadal or Federer. twitter.com/TennisTV/statu…

Other fans also expressed their displeasure with the reigning US Open winner.

"Get your own rituals boy. This is not it pal."

Get your own rituals boy. This is not it pal. twitter.com/tennistv/statu…

Some Twitter users also claimed Alcaraz was being hypocritical given his previous statement about not wanting to be compared to Nadal.

"He keeps copying everything about Rafa and then says ohh I don’t wanna be compared with Rafa I’m making my own history!"

He keeps copying everything about Rafa and then says ohh I don’t wanna be compared with Rafa I’m making my own history! twitter.com/tennistv/statu…

Another fan asked Alcaraz to not try to be like Nadal.

"stop trying to be dull you can do better."

@TennisTV @carlosalcaraz stop trying to be dull you can do better

Some also urged Alcaraz to get his "own personality" and not copy the legends of the game.

"Love Carlitos but copying Rafa and being inspired by him are two different things. Rafa did it for a reason, Carlos has to stick to his own personality."

@TennisTV @carlosalcaraz Love Carlitos but copying Rafa and being inspired by him are two different things. Rafa did it for a reason, Carlos has to stick to his own personality

Below are a few more fan reactions:

@TennisTV @carlosalcaraz "I don't want to be compared to Rafa" *Proceeds to do this*

@TennisTV @carlosalcaraz he is trying to be new 'rafael nadal'. i grew up watching rafa and at the beginning it was fun to see a young player who reminds me rafa but this is copying. and it's annoying. i hope he'll find his own style

As if Rafans don't hate him enough already 🤤 twitter.com/TennisTV/statu…

I don't hate Alcaraz, but I don't like Copycat or Golden Boy.😉 twitter.com/tennistv/statu…

Ohh fuck off twitter.com/TennisTV/statu…

Carlos Alcaraz inches closer to reclaiming No. 1 spot in ATP singles rankings

Playing his last match as a teenager, Carlos Alcaraz beat Khachanov in straight sets to qualify for the semifinals of the Madrid Open. The Spaniard will face either Borna Coric or Daniel Altmeir in the fight for a place in the final.

Currently ranked No. 2 in the ATP singles rankings, Carlos Alcaraz will move closer to reclaiming the top spot if he manages to successfully defend his Madrid Open title. If he wins his fourth title of the season in the Spanish capital, the 2022 US Open winner will just need to play a match in the Rome Open to dethrone Djokovic from the ATP top spot.