Piers Morgan calls out gender ‘double standard’ over Alcaraz’s US Open shirt debate

The one moment unfolded at the US Open has been at the centre of debate over the gender double standards.

On Friday, Carlos Alcaraz was seen changing shirts on the court after his third round victory. Soon he went shirtless, the crowd cheered and the fans, specifically the ladies started making videos and pictures.

The video of female fans taking photographs of shirtless Alcaraz went viral on social media, sparking gender related debate on the internet.

Commentators like Piers Morgan and others highlighted perceived double standards, asking why similar excitement from men toward a female athlete would likely face backlash.

Taking to X, Morgan posted, “Now imagine male spectators reacting like that to a female player doing the same….”

Another user wrote, “Why aren’t these women treated like the creeps they are? Imagine this is a female tennis player and the smiling, photographing weirdos are men.”

“The clip is treated as light entertainment because he’s a young male athlete. Flip the ages and genders and the same phones would be called predatory. That’s the whole point,” the third one wrote.

“What message does this send to young boys watching sport? And what toxic entitlement does it teach girls?” another fan commented.

While some saw it as harmless fun given Alcaraz's comfort and athletic context, the moment fuelled ongoing talks about objectification, consent, and equal treatment across genders.