Carlos Alcaraz arrives at the Miami Open off the back of his first defeat of the season at the hands of Daniil Medvedev at Indian Wells.
Medvedev produced a stunning performance against Alcaraz as he inflicted a straight sets defeat on the world number one.
The Russian star raised his level considerably to pick up his first win against Alcaraz since the 2023 US Open.
Alcaraz was stung from the defeat to Medvedev and he has revealed how he plans to combat stars raising their level against him.
Carlos Alcaraz wants to be ‘one step forward’ after Indian Wells loss
Alcaraz gets his Miami Open campaign underway with a mouth-watering tie against teenage sensation, Joao Fonseca.
The Spaniard is on red alert after suffering a shock defeat to Medvedev, something he is keen not to happen again.
Speaking at the Miami Open, he said: “I think I am just trying to take it as a compliment [when] players try to play their best, more aggressively if they want to beat me.
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“I think it’s a great thing to know and obviously I am just really happy that they are taking us [as] players to try to beat, and we are trying to make them improve as a player as well.”
Alcaraz wants to make sure he is ready for the next player who produces a scintillating display against him.
“So for me, that’s great. But sometimes when I step on the court and see the opponent playing that level, it’s not that funny. I’m trying to be one step forward.
“Trying to see what their next move is going to be before they make it. It’s like chess in a way. [I’m] trying to be there a little bit earlier or trying to think what’s going to happen next.
“Then I can think about my move. I’m trying that or just trying to be more aggressive than them or trying not to let them be in a good spot all the time.”
Alcaraz is looking to win his second Miami Open crown, having first lifted the trophy back in 2022.
What happened the last time Carlos Alcaraz played Joao Fonseca
Alcaraz and Fonseca are set for their first-ever ATP Tour-level meeting at the Miami Open, but they have battled it out in an exhibition.
The Spaniard and Brazilian played out an exhibition match at the culmination of the 2025 season, which also happened in Miami.
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Alcaraz won the tie, which was played at the home of the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team, taking the match by a scoreline of 7-5, 2-6, 10-8.
Fonseca is incredibly popular in Miami, as it has a major Brazilian population, so there could be fireworks as the pair meet for the first time in ATP Tour history.
The Brazilian defeated Fábián Marozsán in three sets to set up the tantalising second round Miami match-up.
