Carlos Alcaraz Wants to Disconnect from Tennis After Shock Miami Exit
Carlos Alcaraz lost in the early rounds of the Miami Open for the second consecutive time.
Follow Us
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/CARLOS ALCARAZ NEWS)
- Carlos Alcaraz experienced mental fatigue following his early exit from the Miami Open.
- He plans to take a break to reset before the upcoming clay season, where he has significant points to defend.
- Alcaraz's defeat allows Jannik Sinner to close the rankings gap, potentially reducing the points difference significantly.
Carlos Alcaraz was in stunning form at the start of the season, but at the moment, he is experiencing mental fatigue. On Sunday (March 22), the Spaniard, after losing the first set, tried to force a comeback, but in the end, Sebastian Korda prevailed, with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 scoreline in the third round of the Miami Open, improving his head-to-head record to 2-4.
Before Miami, the seven-time Grand Slam champion failed in his attempt to win his third Indian Wells title, losing in the semifinals to eventual runner-up Daniil Medvedev. The Russian ace ended his 16-match winning streak that started at the Australian Open, where Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic to complete the Career Grand Slam. Then at the Qatar Open final, he breezed past Arthur Fils.
The conclusion of the Miami Open will mark the start of the European clay swing. Alcaraz will have a lot of points to defend, given that he emerged as victorious in last year’s Monte Carlo Masters, Italian Open, and French Open by defeating Lorenzo Musetti in the former event and Jannik Sinner in the latter two events. At the press conference after his Miami defeat, Alcaraz was asked what he plans to do next.
Probably I’m going to go back home, which I’m just looking forward to, stay chilling with my family, with my friends. A couple of days. I don’t know how much they, my team, are going to allow me to have rest and days off. And all of a sudden, you just go back on track, go back on the court. The clay season is around the corner, and I have really good tournaments that I’m excited about playing there… My mind right now is to take some days off, reset my mind, reset batteries, and be ready and in a good state for the clay season.
It’s the second consecutive time that Alcaraz suffered an early-round exit in Miami. Last year, David Goffin knocked him out in the opening round.
Carlos Alcaraz reflects on what went wrong in his match
Alcaraz, following his third-round match at Indian Wells against Arthur Rinderknech, joked that he was tired of playing Roger Federer every round. What he meant was that opponents play at an “insane level” whenever they are up against him. After his Miami exit as well, Alcaraz again joked that he’s annoyed with the level of his opponents.
I just have to be prepared, as I said. Even if he [Korda] played, I would say, above his usual level, I was there. Many 30-30, many 40-40, break points in my favor. I didn’t capitalize on them, but I have to see it from that perspective. For the upcoming matches, you know, to think that they will play like that, although I will also have my chances. I’ll try to play better in those moments, in those points. I’ll try not to let them stay in the match. I’ll try to push them even further.
Carlos Alcaraz said at the press conference
Alcaraz is a former champion in Miami, winning in 2022 by defeating three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud in what was also his second appearance in the second Masters 1000 of the season. The last time he won a trophy at this level was at the 2025 Cincinnati Masters after receiving a walkover from Sinner.
His exit has given a chance to Sinner to close the rankings gap. Sinner, who will have 11,450 points in the live rankings if he defeats Corentin Moutet in the third round, will have 12,350 points if he wins the Miami Open for the second time. He then will be just 1,240 points behind Alcaraz.
/techfirstnow/media/agency_attachments/kATjCXskQdJKkXN0OuqW.png)