Carlos Alcaraz Crashes Out of Rolex Paris Masters with Shock Defeat to Cameron Norrie

World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz produced his first below-par result since Miami earlier this season, crashing out of the Rolex Paris Masters in his opening match against Cameron Norrie.

With the year-end No.1 ranking still not secured, this result is both a massive setback for the Spaniard and a significant boost for World No.2 Jannik Sinner, who will be in action tomorrow.

Match Recap

The match began at a slow tempo, matching the court speed that has sparked much discussion this week. Although Norrie started stronger, he failed to capitalize on early opportunities and was broken in a loose service game. That single break proved decisive, as Alcaraz held comfortably to take the opening set, with both players otherwise solid on serve and under par on return.

Alcaraz defined the second set with his inconsistency, committing a total of 19 unforced errors. Norrie capitalized on the Spaniard’s erratic play, controlling rallies and rarely facing pressure on serve. The Brit eventually broke once and closed out the set 6–3, leveling the match.

The deciding set was again below Alcaraz’s usual standards. With the match on the line, he failed to lift his level, producing another string of unforced errors. Though he managed to fend off early pressure, Norrie finally broke at 3–3. Facing defeat, Alcaraz fought hard and earned two break-back chances in the next game, but Norrie held his nerve brilliantly. A couple of games later, he served out the match to complete a stunning victory, his third career win over Alcaraz.

Frustration and Reflection for the World No.1

Alcaraz, who had expressed satisfaction before the tournament about the slower, more baseline-friendly conditions, grew increasingly frustrated throughout the match. His struggles to find the court reached a boiling point when he told his coaches, “This is worse than Monte Carlo. Only the serve is spared.”

While the loss is certainly disappointing, it does not take away from Alcaraz’s exceptional form over the past six months. The Spaniard remains the favorite to finish the year as World No.1. His next appearances will be at the ATP Nitto Finals and the Davis Cup Finals, after which his impressive 2025 season will conclude.