Carlos Alcaraz on Miami shocker: “I’m still in the right way” despite Korda upset

MIAMI, Fla.—Carlos Alcaraz’s strong start to the 2026 season hit a pause on Sunday, when the world No. 1 was stunned by rising American Sebastian Korda 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in the third round of the Miami Open presented by Itau—the final hard-court stop before the tour shifts to clay.

“I think I just played a good match, I could say,” Alcaraz reflected in his post-match press conference. “It was just about some moments that I think he just played great and I didn’t play a good point. A lot of 30-Alls, 40-Alls, advantage, that I just didn’t make it.

“But obviously we have to see the other side of the net. I think that point Sebi played such a great points, such a great level."

Read More: Sebastian Korda stuns world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz at 2026 Miami Open

The loss marks a second straight early exit for Alcaraz in Miami, following last year’s upset defeat to David Goffin. Despite the result, he now sits at 17-2 on the season.

The 2022 champion is already turning his attention toward the clay-court swing—but first, a reset.

Q. What are your plans for the next week? Are you staying in Miami? Going back to Europe? Heat-Spurs on Monday night?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I don’t know. Probably I’m going to go back home…

I’m looking forward to stay chilling with my family, with my friends couple of days. I don’t know how much my team are going to allow me to have rest and day off.

All of a sudden just go back on track, go back on the court. The clay season is around the corner. I just have really good tournaments that I’m just excited about playing there.

Yeah, my mind right now is to take some day off, to reset my mind, reset the batteries, and be ready and in a good shape for the clay season.”

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Alcaraz said he and his team conducted a post-match debrief shortly after the loss, focusing on the positives despite the disappointment.

“I think the process has been good. Besides the loss today, I think I’m still in the right way.”

Even in defeat, Alcaraz was quick to credit Korda’s level—while also acknowledging the mental challenge that comes with being the player everyone is chasing. Just last week at Indian Wells, he joked that he was getting tired of playing “Roger Federer” in every match.

“Obviously, the players I’m playing against, I think they don’t have the same pressure (against me) that they usually get when they play another player,” Alcaraz acknowledged.

“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.”

For Korda, the win sends him into the fourth round in Miami, where the No. 32 seed will face Martin Landaluce for a chance to reach his third career quarterfinal at the event.