Carlos Alcaraz makes a surprising confession about disappointing early exit at the Miami Open

Carlos Alcaraz has reclaimed his winning ways with a triumphant run at the Monte–Carlo Masters, kicking off the clay-court season on a high note. However, prior to this success, the 21-year-old Spaniard endured a string of disappointing performances, including a stunning early exit at the Miami Open, where he fell to veteran David Goffin.

After clinching the ATP 500 title in Rotterdam, Alcaraz faced exits in Doha and Indian Wells following performances that fell well below his usual standards. However, the situation worsened with a shocking first-round defeat at the Miami Open. In a recent interview with Marca, the Spanish star admitted that the Miami loss marked rock bottom for him.

“In Indian Wells, I felt like I was playing well and was calm off the court. But that loss to [Jack] Draper hit me hard. Then I came to Miami, and losing to Goffin was the last straw,” Alcaraz revealed. “We had to stop, sit down, and figure out what was going wrong. That moment helped me a lot. It’s during tough times that you learn the most”.

The young Spaniard went on to admit that the loss led him to consider stepping away from tennis temporarily. “You have so many thoughts in your head—taking a break for a week, skipping a tournament, stepping away for a few months, or just continuing to train. I even thought about taking a vacation and then preparing for what’s ahead,” Alcaraz confessed.

David Goffin of Belgium meets Carlos Alcaraz of Spain after defeating him during Day 4 of the Miami Open. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Ultimately, he opted for a brief vacation, which allowed him to reset and return with renewed focus, culminating in his victory at Monte-Carlo. “One of the best decisions I made was to take a few days off, give myself the chance to think clearly, see things in perspective, and decide what to do from there,” Alcaraz added.

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Alcaraz sends a message to his critics

While Alcaraz acknowledged that some of his results earlier in the season fell short of expectations, he emphasized that each loss has been a valuable learning experience, regardless of external opinions.

“The level of demand is high, although I recognize that there have been some results that, for some people—even for myself—have not been as expected. We’re four months into the year, and I’ve learned many things. Now, I give importance to what truly matters,” he explained.

“There have been certain defeats that may have felt insufficient to many, but for me, there is no defeat that feels insufficient anymore; they are all learning experiences,” Alcaraz added.

To those who have criticized his performances, Alcaraz delivered a pointed response. “So, I need to move forward. Talking is easy and free, particularly when someone has expectations and doesn’t fulfill them—that’s all I can say,” the young star remarked.