MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz suffered an unexpected third-round exit at the Miami Open on Sunday, falling to Sebastian Korda 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. The 22-year-classic Spaniard quickly shifted his focus to the upcoming clay court season, a surface where he has historically excelled. “The clay court season is ahead,” Alcaraz said following the match, as reported by the ATP Tour. “I have some really good tournaments that I’m really looking forward to.”
The loss marks a surprising turn for Alcaraz, who completed a Career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open in January. He entered the Miami Open as the favorite, but struggled to find his rhythm against Korda, a player who had previously defeated him at the same tournament last year. This defeat drops his record for the season to 17-2, following a semifinal loss to Daniil Medvedev at Indian Wells the previous week.
Korda’s Resilience Key to Upset
Korda, currently ranked No. 36, proved a formidable opponent, showcasing impressive resilience throughout the two-hour and 19-minute match. He served for the match at 5-4 in the second set, but Alcaraz mounted a comeback, winning five consecutive games to take the set. Though, Korda regrouped and ultimately secured the victory in the deciding set.
“It was a tough match, obviously,” Alcaraz acknowledged. “I think (Korda) was incredible today. Played such a great game. A lot of tied moments that I just didn’t craft the most of it, and I think he was better on (those) points and (those) moments.” According to the ATP Tour, Korda became the lowest-ranked player to defeat Alcaraz since David Goffin achieved the same feat in Miami last year.
Alcaraz’s 2026 Season So Far
Despite the recent setbacks, Alcaraz has enjoyed a largely successful 2026 season. He began the year with a title at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, defeating Arthur Fils in the final. This was followed by a stunning victory at the Australian Open, where he overcame Novak Djokovic in the championship match. However, his momentum was halted by Medvedev in the Indian Wells semifinals and now, by Korda in Miami.
Alcaraz’s overall record at the Miami Open stands at 13-4, with his best result being a title win in 2022, making him the youngest champion in tournament history and the youngest Masters 1000 winner since Rafael Nadal in Monte-Carlo in 2005. However, his 2025 campaign ended with a first-round shocker against David Goffin, and this year’s early exit continues a pattern of inconsistency at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Looking Ahead: The Clay Court Swing
The transition to clay offers Alcaraz a chance to recalibrate and return to peak form. He has already demonstrated his prowess on the surface, having won titles at Monte-Carlo and Rome in 2025. He also boasts eight ATP Masters 1000 titles including victories at Indian Wells (2023 and 2024) and Madrid (2022 and 2023).
The clay court season is a crucial period for players preparing for the French Open, the second Grand Slam of the year. Alcaraz won the French Open in both 2024 and 2025, establishing himself as a dominant force on the red clay. His ability to adapt his game to the slower surface and his aggressive baseline play make him a strong contender for the title once again.
The upcoming tournaments on clay will provide Alcaraz with valuable match practice and an opportunity to fine-tune his game before Roland Garros. He is expected to compete in Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, and potentially Madrid, building towards the French Open which begins in late May.
Alcaraz’s current ranking remains at No. 1, despite the recent losses, a testament to his consistent performance throughout the past two seasons. He finished 2022 and 2025 as the year-end No. 1, solidifying his position as one of the top players in the world.
The Spaniard’s next confirmed tournament is yet to be announced, but all eyes will be on his performance during the clay court swing as he aims to regain momentum and prepare for another Grand Slam challenge. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if he can rediscover the form that made him a dominant force in the tennis world.
Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of Carlos Alcaraz and the ATP Tour.
