Sebastian Korda recreates his father’s iconic 1997 celebration after defeating Carlos Alcaraz

23 Mar 2026 • 10:49 PM MYT
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Photo by Mauricio Paiz/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Sebastian Korda produced one of the biggest wins of his career at the Miami Open, then followed it by recreating a celebration made famous by his father nearly three decades earlier.

The American stunned world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the third round, delivering a performance that shifted the tournament’s narrative.

What came after the match added a deeper layer to the moment.

image is not available
Photo by Mauricio Paiz/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Sebastian Korda recreates father’s celebration after Alcaraz win

Korda copied an iconic celebration after defeating Carlos Alcaraz, mirroring the moment his father, Petr Korda, produced at the 1997 US Open.

That celebration became a defining image from Petr Korda’s era, linking flair with a major victory on one of tennis’s biggest stages.

Nearly three decades later, Sebastian repeated the same gesture after beating a world number one, creating a direct connection between the two moments.

The symbolism elevated the result beyond a single match, tying it to a piece of family and tennis history.

Sebastian Korda beats Carlos Alcaraz in the Miami Open third round

Sebastian Korda defeated Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in the third round of the Miami Open, knocking out the top seed in one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.

Korda controlled the opening set before Alcaraz responded, but the American regained composure in the decider to close out the match.

The win stands as one of the most significant of his career, given Alcaraz’s status as world number one and tournament favourite.

For Alcaraz, the defeat continues an inconsistent stretch, with early exits preventing him from building sustained momentum.

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