It took just 50 ruthless minutes for Carlos Alcaraz to underline why he’s the man to beat in 2026. The 22-year-old Spaniard dismantled Arthur Fils in the final of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on Saturday, dropping only three games (6-2, 6-1) to clinch his maiden Doha crown. It marked his 26th career title - a staggering tally for someone so young, and capped off a week in which he dropped just one set. Even more impressively, Alcaraz is now 12-0 in 2026, securing his second title of the season and the best start of his career.

“I played great. I played amazing,” Alcaraz said. “Every match is different; every match has their styles. I know he's not too far from his real Arthur level. I know in this tournament he has done it, also in the battles we played before. He did a lot of his mistakes today. For me, I just tried to be focused on myself. I think I played really aggressively, and I didn't do any mistakes at all. I was serving well, returning well." But where would he rank this performance in Doha? 

Replying to that, Carlos Alcaraz further added, “I am just proud. I'm going to put it in the Top 10 matches or Top 15 matches, just in terms of level.”

For a player who has already scaled the highest peaks of the sport, ranking this performance among his finest speaks volumes. The current No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings was nearly flawless - dictating from the baseline, crushing returns, and never allowing Fils to settle. It was controlled aggression at its absolute best.

Yet, beyond the trophies and statistics, Alcaraz’s perspective on success reveals a deeper evolution. While the numbers - 26 titles, wins in 14 different countries, and a dominant 12-0 start…  paint the picture of a champion in full flight, the Spaniard insists growth matters more than silverware.

“I think for me, success is more than lifting trophies. I would say, for me, success is about how you feel and how you see yourself,” Alcaraz said. “I think I'm just really proud, and I already have success because I learn about every match. On and off the court, I'm learning about everything, and every experience that I'm having in my life.”

For him, the definition of success is now growing up as a person and as a player and getting mature, along with seeing himself in a position that he really likes to be in. That maturity is reflected in his consistency. On Monday, Alcaraz will enjoy a massive 3,200-point cushion over World No. 2 Jannik Sinner, who suffered a quarterfinal defeat to Jakub Mensik in Doha. But the Spaniard isn’t getting carried away.

“There is always room for improvement,” Alcaraz said. “There's always room for weaknesses. As I said, I don't know if it was at the beginning of the tournament or after the first match that I can see myself with weaknesses. I'm just trying to improve in the practices, just trying to be better on the matches.”

Up next for the Spaniard is the Indian Wells Masters, where he is a two-time champion. The hard-court showdown begins on March 4, and given his current form, the desert might once again feel like home.

During the trophy ceremony in Doha, Carlos Alcaraz also had warm words for Fils, who reached his first final since returning from a back injury that sidelined him for much of 2025 and early 2026. The Spaniard acknowledged the Frenchman’s fight and potential, a reminder that while he stands firmly at the summit, he remains grounded.

Carlos Alcaraz’s kind words for Arthur Fils

Dominant on court, gracious off it. That’s the story of Carlos Alcaraz in Doha. After dismantling Arthur Fils in a 50-minute masterclass at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open final, the World No. 1 extended his outdoor hard-court winning streak to a staggering 30 matches. His last defeat on the surface came nearly a year ago against David Goffin in his opening match in Miami. Since last April, Alcaraz has compiled an eye-watering 68-5 record, reaching 12 finals in 13 tournaments and lifting nine titles in that span.

But beyond the numbers, it was his heartfelt message to Fils that stole the spotlight. “Arthur, it’s a pleasure to share the court with you, man. I told you that more than making results and everything, for me it makes me really happy seeing you on the court once again. I know you struggled physically. You struggled with injuries. I’ve been through that. To be able to forget that and start again, playing such great tennis... making finals, it makes me really happy to share the court, locker, and tournament with you. Great job with your team and family as well. Keep going. For sure we’re gonna share great moments.”

The Spaniard’s words resonated deeply, especially considering Fils’ long road back from injury. The Frenchman, playing his first final since returning from a back issue that kept him sidelined for eight months, was visibly emotional despite the one-sided scoreline.

Speaking about Carlos Alcaraz, he added, “Cabrón… you played very good. You made a hell of a job, man. It’s a joke. Congrats to you and your team. I wish you many more. Keep going like this.”

The mutual respect between the two rising stars reflects a rivalry that promises many more chapters. Alcaraz later shared a celebratory Instagram post from Doha, drawing a simple yet powerful reaction from Coco Gauff - “Unreal.”

The victory wasn’t just dominant… it was historic. Excluding retirements, Alcaraz’s 50-minute triumph now ranks as the 12th shortest final on the ATP Tour since 1991. Remarkably, it was just one minute shorter than Boris Becker’s 51-minute demolition of Goran Ivanišević in the 1996 Grand Slam Cup final - a best-of-five clash that ended 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Reacting to the resurfaced stat on X (formerly Twitter), Becker quipped: “I played 3 sets in 50min against Goran…”

For Carlos Alcaraz, however, the bigger takeaway wasn’t the stopwatch or the statistics. It was the shared journey. From battling injuries to battling for titles, both he and Fils understand the grind behind the glamour. What are your thoughts about his incredible win in Doha?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

Know more