Carlos Alcaraz Avoids Serious Injury in Miami, Proving Even Exhibitions Can Be Dangerous
Carlos Alcaraz is having a pretty good offseason, all things considered. After a grueling season that saw him snag eight titles, including two Grand Slams, you’d think the guy would be kicking back with his feet up. But no, the World No. 1 decided a little exhibition tour in the U.S. was in order. First New Jersey, then Miami. Because why relax when you can almost get your face rearranged by a tennis ball?
During a star-studded Miami Invitational, Alcaraz found himself in a mixed doubles match that turned out to be a bit more intense than your typical hit-and-giggle. Paired with Jessica Pegula, he faced off against the Brazilian up-and-comer Joao Fonseca and Amanda Anisimova. It was all fun and games until Fonseca, clearly not in the mood for a friendly rally, unleashed a forehand that seemed to have a personal vendetta against Alcaraz’s face.
Alcaraz Almost Takes One to the Face
Let’s set the scene. Alcaraz, standing at the net like any good doubles partner would, was probably thinking about his post-match meal. Suddenly, a yellow fuzzy missile comes screaming across the court. The ball ricocheted off Alcaraz’s racket and slammed squarely into his face. For a split second, you could almost hear a collective gasp from everyone watching. This isn’t exactly what you sign up for in an exhibition match. This is the kind of stuff that makes headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Thankfully, Alcaraz is either incredibly tough or just really good at hiding pain. He shook it off with a smile, playfully signaling to Fonseca that payback was coming. Fonseca, for his part, looked mortified, immediately holding up his hands in a universal sign of “Oh my god, I almost broke the world’s best tennis player.” It was a moment of levity in what could have been a serious situation. Let’s be real, a shot like that to the face could easily cause a nasty injury, and with the Australian Open just around the corner, nobody wants to see the top seed sidelined. But this is Alcaraz we’re talking about, and he handled it like a champ, laughing it off and getting right back into the game.
The Rising Star and The World No. 1
Joao Fonseca isn’t just some random player, by the way. This 19-year-old Brazilian is one of the fastest-rising stars on the tour. He’s already making waves, and his aggressive playstyle is a big reason why. Before the match, Fonseca had nothing but praise for Alcaraz, calling him “so important to our sport.” He even talked about how valuable it was to practice with Alcaraz at Wimbledon, learning from his preparation and work ethic. It’s safe to say Fonseca wasn’t trying to take Alcaraz’s head off; he was just playing his game, and his game is intense.
The singles match between the two was a thriller, with Alcaraz eventually clinching a tight 7-5, 2-6, 10-8 victory. It was their first-ever meeting, and it gave fans a tantalizing glimpse of what could be a future rivalry. As for the mixed doubles, Alcaraz and Pegula got their revenge, winning the tiebreak 10-8. All’s well that ends well, I suppose.
As the offseason wraps up, this little incident serves as a stark reminder that in tennis, even a “friendly” match can get heated. Players are getting ready for the 2026 season, and the competitive fire is already burning bright. Alcaraz now heads back to Spain to train at his coach’s academy, hopefully with no more near-death experiences on the court. For a moment there, it looked like we might have a major story on our hands, but instead, we just have a funny clip and another reason to admire Carlos Alcaraz’s cool-headedness. Stay safe out there, champ.
