Carlos Alcaraz after Sebastian Korda defeat: ‘I’m going to try to push them to the limit’ | ATP Tour

match response

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

The world’s No. 1 rechecks his gaze before swinging on clay, reflecting on how his opponents have improved.

March 22, 2026

If Carlos Alcaraz’s recent history is anything to go by, his third-round exit at ETA’s Miami Open could be the spark for him to dominate on clay again.

On Sunday, the number one player in the PIF ATP rankings fell for the second consecutive year ahead of the second week of action in Miami, this time Sebastian Korda. A stunning 22-1 surge followed a shock first-round loss to David Goffin in South Florida 12 months ago on clay. After losing to Korda 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, Alcaraz quickly turned his attention to what’s next.

“I’ll probably go home and I’m looking forward to it,” Alcaraz said. “Staying calm with my family and friends [for a] a few days. I didn’t know how much rest and downtime my team would give me.

“Suddenly I was [have to get] Back on track, back on the court. The clay court season is coming. I had a really good race and I was happy to be out there competing. My current idea is to rest for a few days, adjust my mentality, recharge my batteries, and get ready for the clay court season. “

After opening the 2026 season with a perfect 16-0 record, Alcaraz has lost two of his past three games, including a semifinal loss to Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells. Expectations remain high but on Sunday he admitted his opponents had taken advantage of his chances.

Korda, a three-time ATP Tour champion and former world No. 15, was playing near-perfect tennis until he tried to serve out the second set at 5-4. A brief drop allowed Alcaraz to pounce, and although he ultimately failed to complete the comeback, the Spaniard recognized Korda’s level while admitting that he was unable to fully develop his game.

Watch Korda defeat Alcaraz in Miami:

“Luckily I have a lot of weapons, a lot of things I can try on the pitch [and make] When asked about opponents raising the level against him, Alcaraz said: “But I know from now on, I know they’re going to play like that. I have to be ready.

“I would say even though he was playing above his normal level, I was still there. A lot of 30/30 seconds, a lot of deuces, break points for me. I couldn’t do it. But I have to see the point. In the next games, I’m going to try to play better in those moments, those points. I’m going to try not to let them stay in the whole match. I’m going to try to push them to the limit.”

The result also has an impact on the battle for the top spot in the PIF ATP Rankings with arch-rival Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz’s early exit in Miami opened the door for Sinner to close the gap, and the Italian had strong scoring opportunities deep in the game.

While Alcaraz defended important points on clay, Sinner had relatively fewer points to protect, narrowing the gap between the two. The upcoming Masters 1000 event will therefore play a key role in the battle for first place, with momentum that could swing quickly depending on the outcome.

Alcaraz admitted that this dynamic affected the mentality of his opponents.

“Obviously, when you win games and have a great win-loss record, I feel like they win more than they lose in these games,” Alcaraz said when asked if opponents face more or less pressure. “That’s why in certain moments or almost the whole game they played without any pressure. That’s how I feel after every game.

“I’m not thinking about the pressure on me. I don’t feel it at all. I’m trying to play my best. Obviously, the guys I’m playing against, I don’t think they have the pressure that they normally would when they play against other players.”

According to the Infosys ATP Win-Loss Index, Alcaraz will leave Miami in 2026 with a 17-2 record and next plans to compete in the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters. The 22-year-old is the reigning champion of this season’s inaugural Clay Court Masters 1000 event, having dominated last year and won titles in Rome and Roland Garros.