Post by : Maya Rahman

World number one Carlos Alcaraz suffered a surprising early exit from the Paris Masters after losing to Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the second round. The Spaniard, who entered the tournament in strong form, was expected to be one of the main contenders for the title. However, Norrie pulled off a remarkable 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory, ending Alcaraz’s campaign much earlier than expected. The result shocked fans and analysts alike, as Alcaraz had been dominating the men’s circuit in recent months.

Alcaraz began the match with confidence, taking the first set 6-4 through his trademark aggressive baseline play and powerful serves. But as the match went on, his consistency began to fade. Unforced errors started to pile up, and frustration showed on his face. He struggled to maintain control against Norrie’s patient and precise shot-making. By the second set, the momentum had completely shifted. Norrie capitalized on Alcaraz’s mistakes and broke his serve early, eventually forcing a deciding third set.

Cameron Norrie, ranked 31st in the world, showed great composure throughout the match. He used his strong backhand and intelligent court positioning to counter Alcaraz’s attacking game. Despite the pressure of facing the world’s top player, Norrie remained calm and consistent. In the third set, he broke Alcaraz with a stunning backhand pass and held his nerve to serve out the match. The victory marked Norrie’s first win over a world number one and one of the biggest moments of his career.

For Alcaraz, this was not just another defeat—it was a performance far below his usual standard. He committed 54 unforced errors, a number rarely seen in his matches. The Spaniard looked uncomfortable throughout, often shaking his head and engaging in tense exchanges with his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero. After the match, Alcaraz admitted he felt disconnected from his game, saying, “I had no feeling at all for the ball today. I came here full of energy, thinking I could do well, but I just couldn’t find my rhythm.”

The loss came as a surprise because Alcaraz had been in excellent form leading up to Paris. The 22-year-old had recently captured titles at the U.S. Open, the Cincinnati Open, and the Japan Open, reaffirming his dominance in the men’s game. Despite this defeat, 2025 has still been one of his best years on tour, both in terms of titles and consistency. Alcaraz himself acknowledged that he felt better physically and mentally this year compared to previous seasons. “I’ve been feeling great this year,” he said. “Other years I felt tired by this point, but not now.”

Alcaraz had decided to skip the Shanghai Masters earlier this month to rest and recharge ahead of the Paris Masters. He said that spending time at home helped him recover and prepare for the busy final stretch of the season. “I was home for many days, enjoying time with my family, relaxing, and recharging my batteries,” he shared. “That helped me a lot, so I don’t really know what went wrong here.” Despite feeling well-prepared, the Paris Masters once again proved to be a difficult tournament for him.

The Paris Masters has never been a happy hunting ground for Alcaraz. Since his debut, he has never advanced beyond the quarter-final stage. This latest exit adds to his struggles in the French capital. The indoor hard courts of Paris seem to challenge his playing style, which relies heavily on speed and topspin. “This is a tournament that’s really difficult for me to play well in,” Alcaraz admitted. “But I will figure it out one day and play great tennis here.”

Despite this setback, Alcaraz remains focused on upcoming events. He will next compete at the ATP Finals in Turin, where the world’s top eight players will battle for the season-ending title. After that, he will represent Spain at the Davis Cup Finals. Alcaraz said he plans to return home to recover and prepare thoroughly. “I will try to prepare myself as best as I can,” he said. “Coming to Turin and then the Davis Cup are really important tournaments for me. I will make sure I am ready.”

Alcaraz’s defeat in Paris may be disappointing, but it’s unlikely to slow him down for long. Known for his resilience and determination, he has bounced back from setbacks before. “Right now, I just want to go home, train, and make sure this doesn’t happen again,” he said. As he looks ahead to the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup, fans can expect Alcaraz to return stronger and more focused, ready to reclaim his winning momentum.

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