Carlos Alcaraz crashed out of the 2025 Paris Masters in his very first match, losing to Cameron Norrie in what’s being called one of the biggest upsets of the year.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. Alcaraz is usually one of the top two favorites at every tournament he enters, alongside Jannik Sinner.
The two are ranked #1 and #2 in the world, and fans were expecting another epic showdown between them in Paris.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos Alcaraz | 22 | 68,791 | 25 - 5 |
Instead, Alcaraz is already packing his bags after a 6-4, 3-6, 4-6 loss to Britain’s Norrie. What makes it even more shocking? The 22-year-old Spaniard won the first set pretty easily before completely falling apart.
Something Just Felt Off
Alcaraz seemed genuinely puzzled by what happened out there. He’d been practicing really well and felt great during his preparation.
"Well, I just I didn’t feel well today. A lot of mistakes. I had no feeling at all," he said after the match. "I think Norrie played really great tennis today, as well. Solid match. And I think that was the key."
The weird thing? Alcaraz was actually one of the first players to arrive at the venue and start practicing. He’d been hitting balls for days and felt amazing during those sessions.
"I had a lot of practices here, which I was feeling great, feeling amazing, moving on the court, hitting the ball. I had all the ideas clear, all the goals clear."
But when it mattered, nothing clicked.
"But today, even in the first set, even though I won, I just felt like I could do much more than what I did."
It Got Worse, Not Better
After taking the opening set, most people expected Alcaraz to cruise to victory. That’s what usually happens when you’re ranked in the top two in the world.
Instead, he completely lost his way.
"I tried in the second set just to be better, but it was totally the opposite. I just feel even worse."
Cameron Norrie deserves credit here. The British player didn’t just get lucky – he actively prevented Alcaraz from finding his rhythm. When the Spaniard had chances to break back into the match, Norrie shut the door.
"I think I have to give credit to Cam, as well, because I think he didn’t let me stay or come back to the match. I had a few breakpoints, which I would say could have been really helpful for me."
Those missed opportunities really stung. Alcaraz had his chances but couldn’t convert them when it mattered most.
"I didn’t take it with really easy mistakes. I’m really disappointed about my level today, and it is what it is."
Two Big Events Still to Come
The good news for Alcaraz fans? His season isn’t over yet.
The ATP Finals are coming up in Turin, followed by the Davis Cup Finals where he’ll represent Spain. Both tournaments are huge deals, and Alcaraz knows he needs to figure out what went wrong in Paris before then.
"I will try to prepare myself as better as I can, coming to Turin, coming to Davis Cup, really important tournaments that I have ahead right now."
Right now, though, he just wants to get home and regroup.
"Right now I just want to be back home, and let’s see what’s I gonna do. But of course I’m gonna practice and prepare myself, and obviously I will try not let this thing happen again."
The loss means fans won’t get to see another Alcaraz vs. Sinner battle in Paris. But with the ATP Finals just around the corner, they won’t have to wait long for another chance to see if the young Spaniard can bounce back from this surprising setback.
