MIAMI -UNS/AFP: World number one Carlos Alcaraz remains upbeat about his form despite an early third-round exit at the Miami Open, shifting his focus to the upcoming clay court season.
The Spaniard was defeated in three sets by 36th-ranked American Sebastian Korda on Sunday, marking one of his earliest exits in recent months.
Following the loss, Alcaraz said he plans to take a short break to recharge before returning to competition.
“Probably I’m going to go back home, spend some time with my family and friends, and reset,” he said. “The clay season is around the corner, so I want to be ready and in good shape.”
The defeat marks the lowest-ranked opponent to beat Alcaraz since David Goffin, then ranked 55th, eliminated him in Miami last year.
Despite the setback, the 22-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable run over the past year, compiling an impressive 73-6 record. His 2026 season began with a 16-match winning streak, highlighted by his triumph at the Australian Open, making him the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam.
He also secured a title in Doha and reached the semi-finals at Indian Wells.
Alcaraz acknowledged that facing lower-ranked opponents comes with unique challenges, as they often play with greater freedom and less pressure.
“When you’re winning, opponents feel they have more to gain than to lose,” he said. “They play without pressure.”
The world number one added that he is focused on maintaining composure and avoiding unnecessary pressure on himself as he prepares for the demanding clay court campaign ahead.
Next Post
Mysterious 'pyramid' shaped structure spotted on Mars
Mon Mar 23 , 2026
UNS: All sorts of bizarre objects have been spotted on the Red Planet over the years, including what appears to be a helmet and even an eerie doorway. These tend to spark conspiracy theories that an ancient alien civilisation may have once lived on Mars. Back in 2001, independent imaging […]
