World No.1 and six-time grand slam champion Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock defeat to Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie on Wednesday (AEDT) at the Paris Masters, where his frustration boiled over in an animated mid-match discussion with his coach.
Alcaraz was uncharacteristically error-riddled and struggled with his timing and footwork in a 6-4, 3-6, 4-6 second-round loss to Norrie, the world No.31.
The defeat ended a 17-match winning streak Alcaraz had carved out in Masters 1000 events, stretching back to Miami in March.
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Alcaraz’s chief rival, Italian champion Jannik Sinner, will move to the top of the ATP rankings if he wins the Paris Masters.
After dropping the second set 6-3, Alcaraz was spotted venting courtside to his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, for about a minute.
“I’m really disappointed about my level,” the Spaniard said.
“I didn’t feel well today. A lot of mistakes.
Carlos Alcaraz reacts with frustration during his defeat to Cameron Norrie. Getty
“I had a lot of practises (where) I was feeling great, feeling amazing, moving on the court, hitting the ball. I had all the ideas clear, all the goals clear.
“Even in the first set, even that I won, I just felt like I could do much more. I tried in the second set just to be better, but it was totally the opposite.”
Alcaraz has won eight titles this season, including three Masters tournaments, Roland-Garros and the US Open.
The 22-year-old applauded Norrie.
“I have to give credit to Cam,” he said.
“He didn’t let me stay or come back (in)to the match.”
Norrie was sidelined from the Paris 2024 Olympics and last year’s US Open due to a forearm injury.
“Massive, so big for me,” Norrie said.
“I have been coming back from my injury.
“Last year, I lost first round of qualies (qualifying) here.
“I have just tried to enjoy my tennis in the second half of the year and I was able to do that, and to get a win like this, the biggest of my career, my first over a world No.1 and especially against the most confident player in the world right now, with [Jannik] Sinner combined.
“I am just so pleased with the way I did it. I had a lot of chances and had to keep pushing and going for more and I was able to stay tough and get the win, so I am really pleased.”
Norrie had beaten Alcaraz on two prior occasions but never when the Spaniard was world No.1.
Alcaraz now has a 5-3 head-to-head record against Norrie.
The Briton will meet the winner of Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech and Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot in the third round.