“I’m going back home to reset”: Carlos Alcaraz plans break after Miami Open loss

Carlos Alcaraz saw his run at the Miami Open come to an early end with a third-round loss to Sebastian Korda, a match he later described as being decided in the “tight moments” he was unable to convert. The World No. 1 pointed not to a lack of level, but to missed opportunities at key stages, admitting that “he was better on those moments,” which ultimately defined the outcome.

The defeat leaves Alcaraz at 17-2 on the 2026 season, following a near-perfect start that included titles at the Australian Open—where he completed the career Grand Slam—and in Doha. However, the Spaniard has now dropped two of his last three matches, including his semi-final loss to Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells, suggesting a slight shift in momentum after an extended winning stretch.

Rather than focusing purely on the result, Alcaraz framed the match through execution under pressure, repeatedly pointing to the importance of key points. The contest featured multiple deuce games and break opportunities, but, as he acknowledged, he “didn’t make the most of it,” highlighting a recurring theme in his post-match assessment.

The loss also fits into a broader pattern in Miami, a tournament that has posed challenges for Alcaraz despite his dominance elsewhere. Since 2022, he has struggled to produce deep runs at this event, including early defeats to Grigor Dimitrov and David Goffin, the latter marking an early exit before a dominant clay-court swing in 2025.

Alcaraz pointed directly to the decisive phases of the match, where small margins ultimately separated the two players. Despite remaining competitive throughout, he acknowledged that Korda handled the critical points more effectively, converting pressure situations into tangible advantages.

“I think it was a tough match. I think Sebi was incredible today. Played such a great game. A lot of tight, tight moments that I just didn’t make the most of it. I think he was better on that points, on that moments. I would say that was the key of the match. So just congrats to him. I think he deserves it.”

Korda, who entered the match outside the Top 30, produced one of the most complete performances of his career, securing his first victory over a World No. 1 and his first Top 10 win in exactly a year. The American sustained a high level throughout, limiting Alcaraz’s ability to impose his usual patterns and forcing him into reactive positions.

“Luckily I have a lot of weapons, a lot of things that I can do on the court to try [and make] him uncomfortable, which today I couldn't find. But I know from now on, I know they are going to play like that. I’ve just got to be ready.”

The match featured numerous close games, with repeated deuce scenarios and break-point chances. While Alcaraz stayed within reach, he was unable to convert those opportunities into momentum, a factor he identified as central to the outcome.

“Even though he was playing, I would say, above his normal level, I was there. A lot of 30/30s, a lot of deuces, break points to me. I didn't make it. But I’ve just got to see that point of view. For the next matches, I will try to play better on those moments, on those points. I will try not to let them stay in all the match. I will try to push them to the limit even more.”

Alcaraz also reflected on the broader dynamic of facing opponents who approach matches against him with less pressure, a factor he believes influences how freely they are able to perform in key moments. "Obviously when you're winning tournaments and you have a great win-loss record, I'm feeling they have more to win than to lose in those matches. That's why in some moments or during almost the whole match they're playing without pressure. That's the feeling that I get after every match.”

Despite that dynamic, the Spaniard made clear that his focus remains internal, rather than shaped by external expectations or pressure from results. “I'm not thinking about my pressure. I don't feel it at all. 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.”

Looking ahead, Alcaraz outlined a short break away from competition, prioritising recovery and mental reset before the transition to clay—a phase of the season where he has historically produced his strongest tennis.

“Probably I am going to go back home, which I am looking forward to. Stay chilling with my family, with my friends for a couple of days. I don't know how much my team is going to allow me to have a rest and a day off. All of a sudden I just have to get back on track, go back on the court. The clay season is around the corner. I have really good tournaments that I am just excited about playing there. My mind right now is to take some days off, to reset my mind, reset the batteries, and be ready in good shape for the clay season.”