Alcaraz Aims for Victory: Staying ‘One Step Ahead’ in Miami
The World No. 1 likens the escalation of opponents’ game to a strategic game of chess.
March 20, 2026
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz maintains a stellar 16-1 season record.
By Jerome Coombe
With an impressive start to his season, it’s no wonder that many players are adopting a more aggressive style in their matches against Carlos Alcaraz.
This top-ranked star opened 2026 with a remarkable streak of 16 wins, only for Daniil Medvedev to put a stop to that run in the Indian Wells semi-finals, showcasing a trend of rising intensity from his competitors.
“When opponents elevate their game to challenge me, I see it as a compliment,” Alcaraz shared with ATP Media before the Miami tournament. “I’m thrilled they want to compete at their best, pushing us players to elevate our game as well.” He added, “Yet, when I step onto the court and face that kind of play, it can be quite the challenge.”
As he sets his sights on the Miami Open presented by Itau, Alcaraz is determined to bounce back from his recent semi-final loss in Indian Wells. Being the top seed means he’ll likely face even more high-energy, powerful shots from early on in the tournament.
In his opening match, Alcaraz will go up against #NextGenATP star Joao Fonseca, who recently took World No. 2 Jannik Sinner to the brink with two tie-breakers in Indian Wells. This fearless 19-year-old is sure to bring a dynamic and aggressive playing style into their inaugural Lexus ATP Head2Head encounter, but Alcaraz is prepared to outmaneuver that intensity.
Get your popcorn ready, @andy_murray 🤩@MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen https://t.co/je5lURjiuQ
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 19, 2026
“I focus on being one step ahead. Anticipating my opponent’s next move is crucial,” Alcaraz elaborated. “It’s akin to chess—lining up my next maneuver before they do. It’s about being more aggressive and preventing them from gaining an advantageous position.”
Alcaraz clinched his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Miami back in 2022 and boasts an impressive 13-4 record at this event, as indicated by the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. Last year, despite facing an early exit against David Goffin, he rebounded brilliantly with a staggering 22-1 streak throughout the clay season.
