Alcaraz gets first title in Doha, stays unbeatable!
Alcaraz can’t stop, won’t stopThe Spaniard made sure to stay unbeaten this year as he gave not the start of a single moment of hope to Arthur Fils in the final (6-2, 6-1).
It took just 50 minutes for Carlos Alcaraz to clinch his first-ever Qatar ExxonMobil Open and stay unbeaten in twelve matches so far in 2026. And he also stayed perfect against Arthur Fils, defeating him for a third time in as many matches, this time in a one-way traffic battle (6-2, 6-1). Beaten here last year in the quarterfinals by Jiri Lehecka, Alcaraz came back to finish the job, and he did.
“It’s been a great start to the year,” confirmed Alcaraz. “It wasn’t easy to be honest because I had to be strong mentally with my team. I’m really happy with all the work done in the pre-season, to play a great season, and very happy about this week on and off the court. This trophy means a lot to me. The love of the people and the support I received every day are amazing, and that’s what I’ll keep with me. You make me feel at home, and I can’t wait to come back next year.”
Alcaraz, who was made to sweat in his previous rounds this week, showed that when he reaches a final, he finds another gear! Right from the start of the match, he started to dictate everything with his power and his variations. He didn’t let Fils find any comfort from the baseline and denied him the use of his already famous forehand. The World No.1 had all the answers on Saturday night, playing with great confidence and charging to the net as he pleased.
“I just played great today”, said Alcaraz. “I was just really focused on that. The finals are where you have to show your best level. Obviously, I think Arthur was making a lot of mistakes at the start of the match, and that gave me the confidence to play relaxed and calm. He let me dominate the game, dominate every point. I was always in a good position. I played really solid, aggressively when I could, passing when I had to.” There was no room to breathe for Fils, who also hadn’t a match against such a player in a long time due to his back injury. Even Goran Ivanisevic couldn’t help him turn this match around from the box. “Arthur has just started to play again recently, and he made the final here, beating great guys, so I'm pretty sure he's going to get back to the level to be at the top,” Alcaraz stated.
Fils, who returned to the Tour only earlier this month, will, of course, keep more good memories from his time at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open than disappointing ones.
“The goal is to stay positive, of course, after a good week and a final here. Today, it was much more complicated for me, but these are things that can happen, and we have to move forward. I played less well than I did the rest of the week, but he's number one. He hasn't lost a game since the start of the year. I think you can see why. For now, it's another level. I'm not there yet. I'm not there at all. I'll work on it, but for now, I'm not there at all. He played very, very well; nothing to say. From the start, he puts a lot of pressure. It goes fast…” Arthur Fils
As for Alcaraz, he has also used this week to gain ground on World No.2 Jannik Sinner in the ranking, as the battle for the throne is never far from the mind. The Australian Open champion will now head to the Double Sunshine in Indian Wells and Miami with the wins, the trophies, and a huge mattress of confidence.
“It feels like the job is finished right now, which is great. It was a great week, on and off the court. Seeing myself accomplish all the goals that I set for myself at the beginning of the week, it makes me really proud of myself and my team. Lifting the trophy in Doha for the first time, it feels amazing. (...) I love playing tennis, and I love competing. It is time to enjoy every time that I am able to play and step on the court.” Alcaraz for sure isn't tired of winning!