Carlos Alcaraz Dominates Doha Open, Draws Praise from Tennis Stars

Coco Gauff, Garbiñe Muguruza, and others react to Alcaraz's commanding victory in Qatar

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Carlos Alcaraz continued his dominant run on the ATP Tour, capturing the Qatar Open title with a commanding straight-sets victory over Arthur Fils. Alcaraz's triumph drew praise from fellow tennis stars like Coco Gauff and Garbiñe Muguruza, as well as figures from other sports, underscoring the Spaniard's growing status as a force in the game.

Why it matters

Alcaraz's latest title win further cements his position as the world's top-ranked player and a dominant force in men's tennis. His ability to win titles across different surfaces and against a variety of opponents has made him a must-watch attraction for fans and a respected rival among his peers.

The details

Alcaraz breezed through the Qatar Open final, defeating Fils 6-2, 6-1 in just 50 minutes. The victory marked Alcaraz's 26th career title and his ninth at the ATP 500 level, tying him with former world No. 1 Andy Murray for the most titles in that category since its inception in 2009. Alcaraz's commanding performance and continued success have drawn admiration from some of the sport's biggest names.

  • Alcaraz captured the Qatar Open title on February 21, 2026.

The players

Carlos Alcaraz

A 22-year-old Spanish tennis player who is currently the world's top-ranked player and one of the dominant forces in men's tennis.

Arthur Fils

A 20-year-old French tennis player who faced Alcaraz in the Qatar Open final.

Coco Gauff

A 22-year-old American tennis player who is one of the rising stars on the women's tour.

Garbiñe Muguruza

A 33-year-old Spanish tennis player who is a former world No. 1 and Grand Slam champion.

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What they’re saying

“unreal”

— Coco Gauff (Instagram)

“Nivelazo”

— Garbiñe Muguruza (Instagram)

“wow 🤩 just looked up at TV 📺 escape from Alcaraz sprinting downhill to the 🏆”

— Brad Gilbert, Former World No. 4 and Gauff's former coach (X)

What’s next

Alcaraz will look to build on his Doha triumph as he sets his sights on the rest of the 2026 season, including the upcoming Grand Slam events.

The takeaway

Carlos Alcaraz's dominant performance in Doha, which drew praise from his peers, underscores his status as the undisputed top player in men's tennis and a must-watch attraction for fans around the world.