Miami
Why Miami is key for Alcaraz & Sinner’s World No. 1 battle
Both players have an opportunity at the second ATP Masters 1000 event of the season
March 17, 2026
Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will continue their World No. 1 battle in Miami.
By Sam Jacot
Jannik Sinner’s title exploits at the BNP Paribas Open helped him cut Carlos Alcaraz’s lead in the PIF ATP Rankings. By lifting his sixth ATP Masters 1000 trophy, Sinner earned 1,000 points and reduced Alcaraz’s advantage pre-Indian Wells lead from 2,800 to 2,150 points.
Attention now turns to the Miami Open presented by Itau, where Sinner has an opportunity to build further momentum. The Italian did not compete in Florida in 2025, meaning he has no points to defend this fortnight. Every victory will therefore add directly to his ranking total.
However, Alcaraz too has minimal points at stake after a shock opening-round defeat to David Goffin last year left him with just 10 points to defend this fortnight. The World No. 1 will be motivated to respond after Daniil Medvedev ended his perfect 16-0 start to the 2026 season in the Indian Wells semi-finals.
Miami also holds added significance for Alcaraz, who became the youngest champion in tournament history at the event in 2022, aged 18. It represents Alcaraz’s best chance to extend his lead before the Tour shifts to clay, where the 22-year-old faces a heavy defensive stretch.
PIF ATP Live Rankings (as of 17 March)
Beyond Florida, the dynamic between the two shifts. Alcaraz has 4,300 points to defend across the clay swing, including titles in Monte-Carlo, Rome and Roland Garros, as well as a runner-up finish in Barcelona. Sinner, by contrast, has no points to defend until Rome, and then 1,850 points across the Italian Masters 1000 event and Roland Garros, giving him a window to chip away at the top spot in the coming weeks.
Even so, the Italian will aim to apply immediate pressure in Miami, where he has reached the final in three of his four appearances and lifted the trophy in 2024.
You May Also Like: Alcaraz could face Fonseca in blockbuster Miami opener
Alcaraz and Sinner are seeded first and second, respectively, in Miami and can only meet in the final. If that matchup materialises, it would mark the 17th chapter of their Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry, one that has rapidly become a defining matchup on the ATP Tour.
If Alcaraz maintains or even extends his advantage during Miami, he would give himself valuable breathing room before entering the most defence-heavy portion of his calendar. Such a scenario would further strengthen his grip on the top spot while allowing him to begin building a lead in total weeks at No. 1. The Spaniard is set to match Sinner’s 66-week milestone in early April, regardless of what happens in Florida.
Â