Doha
Alcaraz reigns again in 2026, flies past Fils for Doha title
20 days after completing the Career Grand Slam, the World No. 1 triumphs again
February 21, 2026
Karim JAAFAR / AFP via Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz wins his 26th tour-level trophy.
By Jerome Coombe
Carlos Alcaraz’s blistering surge through 2026 rolled on in Doha where he surged into title glory at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.
The 22-year-old Spaniard delivered another statement performance on Saturday at the ATP 500 event, sweeping past resurgent Frenchman Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-1 in just 50 minutes to secure the trophy. Alcaraz’s triumph in Qatar comes just 20 days after becoming the youngest man in history to complete the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open.
UNSTOPPABLE. UNBEATEN 👑
World No.1 @carlosAlcaraz wins the title in Doha and extends his winning streak to 12-0 in 2026 @QatarTennis | #QatarExxonMobilOpen pic.twitter.com/WivHbArl2l
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 21, 2026
“I came this year hungry for more,” said Alcaraz, who fell in the Doha quarter-finals in 2025. “I think after every tournament, we just have to set new goals. I’m just really happy and proud of everything I have done with my team on and off the court.
“It’s been a really strong start to the year. It wasn’t easy… I had to be strong mentally with my team. I’m just playing great tennis and I’m really happy about this week. This trophy means a lot to me.”
From the outset, Alcaraz dictated terms, striking early and defending with breathtaking athleticism. Even after Fils raised his level and began trading blows from the baseline, the Spaniard repeatedly produced spectacular retrievals and clutch shotmaking to extend his winning streak to 12 matches.
The triumph marked Alcaraz’s ninth ATP 500 trophy, drawing him level with former World No. 1 Andy Murray for the fourth-highest tally in the category since its inception in 2009.
ATP 500 Title Leaders (since series was introduced in 2009)
With his run to a first tour-level final since winning the title in Tokyo in 2024, Fils jumped seven spots to No. 33 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings while he continues his comeback. The former World No. 14 will next compete at the ATP 500 in Dubai, where he faces a rematch with Jiri Lehecka, whom the Frenchman beat in the Doha quarter-finals.
“It’s been eight long months with my injury,” said Fils, who was into his first tour-level final since Tokyo in 2024. “So in a time like this, you just have to think about the last eight months when I was struggling, not playing tennis. I just want to thank my team… Today was not the day but I think we did a hell of a job.”
The Doha showdown marked their first encounter since Alcaraz claimed back-to-back clay victories over the Frenchman in 2025, and their maiden clash on hard courts unfolded in much the same fashion.
Alcaraz now leads Fils 3-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series and has extended his outdoor hard-court winning streak to 30 matches — a run that includes major triumphs at the Australian Open and US Open. By clinching the title in Doha — his 26th tour-level title — Alcaraz now boasts a 292-65 record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
