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World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz didn’t mince words in a scathing critique of his own game after suffering a stunning Miami Open exit to Belgium’s David Goffin—a defeat that deepens the Spaniard’s troubling 2025 slump. The two-time Grand Slam champion, who has only clinched the ATP Rotterdam title this year, has endured a string of heartbreaks: an Australian Open quarterfinal collapse, a Qatar Open quarterfinal loss, and an Indian Wells Masters semifinal defeat.
But his Miami Open first-round implosion against Goffin—a player ranked outside the Top 50—has left Alcaraz questioning his form, fitness, and mental grit.
Carlos Alcaraz’s blunt take on Miami Open meltdown
In a raw post-match press conference, the 21-year-old didn’t shield himself from blame. “It was a very poor performance on my part, I admit it. He was a better player than me,” Alcaraz stated, crediting Goffin’s resilience.
“I didn’t play well, and I didn’t feel good physically either. In these kinds of matches, when you don’t feel confidence in your tennis or your body, everything becomes much harder.”
The match began promisingly for Carlos Alcaraz, who edged a tight first set 7-5. But momentum flipped as Goffin capitalized on uncharacteristic errors and dwindling intensity.
“I started playing worse from the beginning, making mistakes until he broke my serve,” Alcaraz admitted. “Being a break down in the third set made me feel very bad… Mentally, I’m screwed, honestly. This is a tournament where I want to do well, and losing in the first round hurts a lot.”
A season of stumbles: What’s gone wrong?
Carlos Alcaraz’s Miami Open exit epitomizes a season plagued by inconsistency. Once a fearless shotmaker, he’s struggled to sustain dominance, with his explosive baseline game misfiring under pressure. Physical fatigue also looms large—his admission of feeling “physically” off raises questions about his grueling schedule and recovery.
The stakes are sky-high. A Miami Open title could’ve propelled him to World No. 2, but instead, the loss leaves him grappling with doubt. Critics argue his aggressive style needs recalibration, while fans worry the mental toll of repeated setbacks could stall his progress.
Can Alcaraz rediscover his spark?
For Alcaraz, the path forward hinges on introspection. His honesty—a rarity among athletes—signals self-awareness, but translating that into solutions is the next hurdle. With the clay-court season approaching, the Spaniard must address his physical conditioning and tighten tactical discipline.
Goffin’s triumph, meanwhile, serves as a wake-up call: complacency has no place in tennis’ hyper-competitive landscape. As Carlos Alcaraz put it, “When confidence fades, even the basics crumble.” For a player once hailed as the sport’s future, rebuilding that confidence—and fast—is non-negotiable.
