Carlos Alcaraz faced a shocking defeat in his first match of the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami, being eliminated by Belgian veteran David Goffin on March 22, 2025. Alcaraz, the Spaniard ranked third in the world and second seed in the tournament, lost in a hard-fought match with a final score of 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 after just over two hours on the court.
This unexpected exit not only marked a significant downturn for Alcaraz but also mathematically eliminated any chance for him to surpass Jannik Sinner for the number one ranking prior to Sinner’s return to competition at the Italian Open in Rome. Sinner currently holds 10,330 points compared to Alcaraz's reduced total of 6,720 points following his loss.
In assessing the match, Goffin showcased remarkable tenacity after dropping the first set. The 34-year-old managed to win the next two sets, displaying not only skill but an impressive ability to capitalize on Alcaraz's mistakes—specifically, the young Spaniard's staggering total of 42 unforced errors, including 28 forehand errors. Goffin's strategy proved effective, especially as he navigated the court and utilized the net. He successfully won 17 of 24 net approaches against Alcaraz.
Spanish media have been harsh in their criticism of Alcaraz, with outlets such as Mundo Deportivo labeling his performance as a “total disaster” and highlighting that this loss represents a favor done to Sinner in the rankings. They noted that despite moments of brilliance throughout the match, Alcaraz's highs were overshadowed by his lows, leading to a confounding end to his Miami run. The publication pointed out that Alcaraz had recently looked out of sorts, unable to regain his top form since winning the final against Sinner in Beijing back in 2024.
"It’s incredible how I manage to stay competitive," expressed Goffin after the match, emphasizing his love for tennis and his commitment to battling against top players. This victory also marked Goffin’s third consecutive win against a player ranked in the top three, a remarkable feat that hadn’t been achieved since 2017.
Speaking to reporters, Alcaraz acknowledged the challenges he faces, saying he needs to find consistency to maintain competitiveness at the highest level. "This is not where I want to be,” he admitted, referencing the noticeable decline in his game. Even winning prestigious titles in the past seems a distant memory amid this recent string of disappointing results.
Now, with Alcaraz's exit, the path remains clear for Sinner, who is waiting to make his return. The only player left who could challenge Sinner before his return is Alexander Zverev, who must string together multiple victories in the upcoming tournaments, including Miami, Monte Carlo, and Munich, to regain some ground in the rankings.
Concurrent to Alcaraz's downfall, Daniil Medvedev also faced an early exit at the Miami Open. The seventh seed was upset by Spanish player Jaume Munar, who handed him a straight-set defeat with a score of 6-2, 6-3, effectively ending his bid for ranking points. This continues the trend of unexpected upsets in this year’s tournament.
While Novak Djokovic, the world number four, has continued his quest without a hitch, advancing past Australian Rinky Hijikata in straight sets, winning 6-0, 7-6 (7-1). Djokovic remains a strong contender in the tournament, setting his sights on a potential deep run.
As the Miami Masters progresses, Alcaraz's next steps remain uncertain. For now, he must reassess his training and mentality as he prepares for future encounters, aiming to reclaim his position among the elite in men's tennis. A lot rides on his performance in the upcoming tournaments, particularly as all eyes will now be on Sinner and Zverev to see how they fare as Miami wraps up.
