Carlos Alcaraz after Sebastian Korda’s defeat: ‘I will try to push them to the limit even more’ | ATP Tour

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Alcaraz after Korda’s defeat: ‘I will try to push them to the limit even more’

The eyes of the World No. 1 restarts before the clay swings, showing competitors raising their level

March 22, 2026

If Carlos Alcaraz’s recent history is anything to go by, his third-round exit at the Miami Open presented by Itau may yet prove the spark for another outstanding performance on clay court.

The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings went down before the second week in Miami for the second year in a row on Sunday, this time for Sebastian Korda. Twelve months ago, a shocking opening round loss to David Goffin in South Florida preceded a stunning 22-1 onslaught on clay. After his 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 loss to Korda, Alcaraz quickly turned his attention to what was next.

“Maybe I’ll go back home, which I’m looking forward to,” said Alcaraz. “Stay and relax with my family and my friends [for a] a few days. I don’t know how much my team will allow me to rest and a day off.

“Suddenly I appeared [have to get] back on the road, back on the field. Pottery season is upon us. I have some really good tournaments that I’m excited to play in. My idea right now is to take some days off, to reset my mind, recharge the batteries, and get ready for the clay season in good shape.”

After opening the 2026 season with a perfect 16-0 record, Alcaraz has now dropped two of his last three matches, including a semifinal loss to Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells. Expectations remain high, but on Sunday he admitted a rival is taking his time.

Korda, a three-time ATP Tour champion and former world No. 15, produced near-flawless tennis until he broke even at 5-4 in the second set. A brief dip allowed Alcaraz to pounce and, although he ultimately failed to complete the comeback, the Spaniard praised Korda’s quality while admitting he was unable to fully force his game.

Watch Korda beat Alcaraz in Miami:

“Fortunately, I have many weapons, there are many things I can do on the court to try myself [and make] he was uncomfortable, which I haven’t found him today,” said Alcaraz when asked about the rivals who raised the bar against him.” But I know from now on, I know they will play like that. I have to stay ready.

“Although he was playing, I can say that, above his normal level, I was there. Many 30/30, many Deuces, broke points for me. I did not succeed. But I have to see that perspective. In the next matches, I will try to play better in those moments, in those points. I will try not to let them stay in the whole game.

The result also has implications for a battle at the top of the PIF ATP Rankings with fierce rival Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz’s early exit in Miami opens the door for Sinner to close the gap, with the Italian holding a strong points advantage deep into the tournament.

While Alcaraz defends important points during the clay swing, Sinner has few to defend, tightening the gap between the two. The upcoming Masters 1000 events are therefore set to play an important role in shaping the battle for No.

That’s powerful, Alcaraz admitted, focusing on the thoughts of his opponents.

“Obviously when you win tournaments and have a good losing record, I feel that they have more to win than lose in those games,” said Alcaraz when asked if there is less pressure on his opponents. “That’s why sometimes or during every game they play without pressure. That’s the feeling I get after every game.

“I don’t think about my pressure. I don’t feel it at all. I try to play as much as I can. Obviously, the players I play with, I think they don’t have the pressure they usually get when they play another player.”

Alcaraz leaves Miami with a 17-2 record in 2026, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, and is next scheduled to compete at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. The 22-year-old is the defending champion at the first clay-court Masters 1000 event of the season, where he produced a stellar performance last year that included titles in Rome and Roland Garros.