Rafael Nadal stood firmly behind Carlos Alcaraz following the young Spaniard’s unexpected third-round exit at the 2026 Miami Open, offering a measured and supportive perspective.
Speaking in Madrid, Nadal brushed aside any overreaction to the defeat and instead urged fans to appreciate the broader body of work Alcaraz continues to build at the top of men’s tennis.
Rafael Nadal Urges Perspective After Carlos Alcaraz’s Miami Exit
Alcaraz arrived in Miami as the top seed, returning to a venue where he lifted the title in 2022. The 2026 campaign marked his sixth appearance at the event, and he began with a straight-sets victory over Brazil’s João Fonseca, 6-4, 6-4, after receiving a first-round bye.
That result set up a meeting with the 32nd seed, Sebastian Korda. Alcaraz dropped the opening set 3-6, then took the second 7-5, but ultimately fell short in the decider, losing 4-6 in a tightly contested battle defined by slim margins and momentum swings.
Nadal addressed the result while attending a ceremony at the Technical University of Madrid, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate, “Doctor Honoris Causa,” at the university’s rectorate on March 24.
When asked about Alcaraz’s loss, the 22-time Grand Slam champion offered a grounded take that highlighted both perspective and appreciation.
“When someone comes from winning the Australian Open, has seven Grand Slams, is the world No. 1, what happens? That he’s going to win every match of the year? Well, it’s not going to happen,” Nadal said (translated from Spanish).
“I think we all have to congratulate and thank Carlos for everything he’s doing, because in the end, he’s bringing a level of success to Spanish sports that’s hard to imagine 30 years ago.”
He continued by widening the perspective, adding, “Lately, maybe we’ve gotten used to it, but I never lose sight of the difficulty involved in everything Carlos does and what other Spanish athletes do, or athletes from any country in the end.”
MORE: Rafael Nadal Explains Why Calling Carlos Alcaraz a Prospect ‘Makes No Sense’
Nadal also dismissed concerns over recent results, stating, “In this case, Carlos is Spanish, he’s one of ours, and in that sense, well, are we going to worry about two losses? I don’t think it makes any sense, nor can more be demanded of him.”
What’s the Road Ahead for Alcaraz After Miami?
Turning his attention forward, Alcaraz is set to begin preparations for his Monte-Carlo Masters title defense. The Spaniard first competed at the event in 2022, where his campaign ended in the second round with a three-set loss to Korda.
He returned in 2025 and delivered a standout performance, overcoming Francisco Cerundolo, Daniel Altmaier, Arthur Fils, and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina en route to the final.
