Carlos Alcaraz’s Shock Paris Masters Exit: “No Feeling” Nightmare Ends Title Hopes
**Paris, October 28, 2025** – Carlos Alcaraz’s dominant 2025 season took a stunning turn with a straight-sets loss to Cameron Norrie in the second round of the Rolex Paris Masters, marking the world No. 1’s earliest exit from the event since his 2022 debut and snapping a 17-match Masters 1000 win streak. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who skipped Shanghai due to an ankle sprain, fell 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in 2 hours and 2 minutes at La Défense Arena, admitting he had “no feeling at all” for the ball amid 54 unforced errors. Norrie, the 30-year-old British No. 31 on a wildcard, claimed his biggest career win—the first by a Brit over a world No. 1 since Dan Evans beat Djokovic in 2021—and advanced to face Arthur Rinderknech or Valentin Vacherot in the third round. Alcaraz’s defeat, his ninth of the year (67-9 record), hands Jannik Sinner a golden path to reclaim No. 1 if the Italian wins the title.
The Match: Norrie’s Grit Over Alcaraz’s Slump
Alcaraz, the top seed with a first-round bye, started solidly, breaking Norrie in the fifth game with a forehand winner for 3-2 and holding to love for the set. But Norrie, fresh off a 6-3, 6-4 first-round win over Sebastian Baez, roared back in the second, racing to 4-1 with two breaks, including a stunning backhand pass over Alcaraz at net. Serving out to love, Norrie leveled the match.
The decider was a baseline war, with Norrie saving three break points at 2-2 before breaking Alcaraz at 3-3 with a deep return. Alcaraz leveled at 4-4 but faltered at 5-4, netting a forehand on match point. Norrie won 82% of first-serve points and committed 18 unforced errors to Alcaraz’s 54, including a 32-shot rally in the second set that “made Alcaraz look lost.”
| Player | Aces | Break Points Converted | Winners/Unforced Errors | Outcome |
|——–|——|————————-|————————-|———|
| **Cameron Norrie** | 5 | 3/5 (60%) | 28/18 | Winner (4-6, 6-3, 6-4) |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 8 | 1/3 (33%) | 25/54 | Runner-up |
Alcaraz’s “No Feeling” Nightmare: “I Don’t Know What Happened”
Alcaraz, playing his first match since Tokyo on September 29, was blunt: “I had no feeling at all for the ball. I don’t know what happened—worst performance since Miami.” The loss, his first opening-round Masters exit since 2022, drops him to 67-8 for 2025 (88% win rate) and cedes 90 points (from 2024 R3), handing Sinner a clear path to No. 1: The Italian, at 11,000 points, needs a title (1,000 points) to overtake Alcaraz’s 11,250. “I was far from my best—need to reset for Turin,” Alcaraz said, his 54 unforced errors a season-high.
Norrie, now 35-27 for 2025, celebrated: “Massive—first win over a No. 1, probably the most confident player right now. I rocked it.” The Brit, returning from a forearm injury that cost him the Olympics and US Open, faces the Rinderknech-Vacherot winner in R3.
Stakes: Sinner’s Path to No. 1
Sinner, the No. 2 seed, faces Zizou Bergs in R2. A title nets 1,000 points, surpassing Alcaraz (11,250 to 11,000 + 1,000 = 12,000). Semifinals (360) isn’t enough; final (650) requires Alcaraz’s early exit (already happened).
As Norrie savors his career-best win, Alcaraz’s “no feeling” slump isn’t panic—it’s a pivot. Turin awaits; the No. 1’s grip loosens.
