Miami
Alcaraz focused on ‘one step ahead’ during Miami title run
World No. 1 likens the tendency of players against him to improve to ‘chess’
March 20, 2026
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz is 16-1 this season.
Jerome Coombe
As Carlos Alcaraz’s season begins, it’s easy to see why opponents are turning to a more aggressive approach against him.
The PIF ATP Ranking No. 1 started 2026 on a 16-game winning streak, but Daniil Medvedev ended that run with a clinical baseline performance in the Indian Wells semifinals last week. That match reflected a growing pattern of players raising their level and intensity in an attempt to unsettle the Spaniards.
“I guess I just wanted to take it as a compliment. [when] Alcaraz told ATP Media in a pre-match interview in Miami: “If the players want to beat me, they’re going to try to play their best and be more proactive. I think it’s a great thing to know and obviously I’m really happy for them to lead us. [as] Those players that we’re trying to beat, we’re also trying to keep them improving as a player. So to me, it’s great.
“But sometimes when I go out on the court and see my opponent playing at that level, it’s not so funny.”
Alcaraz now turns his attention to the Miami Open hosted by ETA, aiming to bounce back from his semi-final defeat at Indian Wells. However, the top seed can expect more of the same high-powered shots at the net early in the title hunt.
In his first match, Alcaraz will face #NextGenATP standout Joao Fonseca, who forced world No. 2 Jannik Sinner into two tiebreaks at Indian Wells. There’s no doubt the 19-year-old will bring his fearless attacking style to their first Lexus ATP Head2Head event, but Alcaraz is focused on staying on top.
Get the popcorn ready, @AndyMurray 🤩@miamiopen | #miamiopen https://t.co/je5lURjiuQ
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 19, 2026
“I’m trying to take a step forward. Trying to see what their next move is before they make a move,” Alcaraz said. “In a way, it’s like chess. [I’m] Try to get there earlier or try to think about what will happen next. Then I can think about my actions.
“I’m trying to do that or just trying to be more aggressive than them or trying not to put them in a good position all the time.”
Alcaraz won his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Miami in 2022 and holds a 13-4 record at the event, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. Last year, he lost to David Goffin in the first round, but quickly bounced back into the clay court season with a strong 22-1 record.
