Carlos Alcaraz is confident he is still on the right path after suffering a shock third round exit at the Miami Masters on Sunday.
The world No.1 was knocked out of the event in three sets by Sebastian Korda, who hadn’t beaten a top 10 player for a year prior to their clash. It is only the second time in 19 matches played this season that Alcaraz has suffered a loss. His other defeat was to Daniil Medvedev at Indian Wells earlier this month.
It is a blow for the Spaniard, who started 2026 by winning 16 matches in a row. Alcaraz also suffered an early exit from Miami Last year, falling in the second round to David Goffin. However, he has played down the significance of his latest result.
“With my team we have talked a little bit, and we saw in all parts of my game what I did great and what I did good, and I would say what I was practising I think I did really well,” Alcaraz told reporters.
“There were a couple of things in previous tournaments where I did not feel comfortable, and in this tournament I have started to feel better and better so I think the process has been good, besides the loss, but I think I am still in the right way.”
As the top-ranked player in men’s tennis, Alcaraz is getting used to having a target on his back. He believes his current position makes it easier for his rivals to play against him with less pressure, as they have little to lose and a lot to gain. Over the past 52 weeks, he has won 73 out of 80 Tour-level matches played.
“I’m not thinking about my pressure. I don’t feel it at all,” he states.
“I’m trying to play my best. Obviously, the players I’m playing against, I think they don’t have the pressure they usually get when they play another player.”
Rival Jannik Sinner now has a golden opportunity to close the gap in the race to No.1, should he go on to win the Miami title. The Italian doesn’t have any ranking points to defend until May after serving a 90-day suspension for an anti-doping violation 12 months ago.
Alcaraz will take a brief break before getting ready for the clay swing, which concludes with him defending his title at the French Open.
“The clay season is around the corner. My mind right now is to take some days off, to reset my mind, reset the batteries, and be ready and in good shape for the clay season.” He concluded.
