QOC President crowns Carlos Alcaraz as Qatar ExxonMobil Open Champion

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February 22, 2026
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22-February-2026

QOC President crowns Carlos Alcaraz as Qatar ExxonMobil Open Champion

Doha: H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia and President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, crowned Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz as champion of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2026, held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.

H.E Sheikh Joaan presented the world No. 1 with the first-place trophy (the Golden Falcon), while France’s Arthur Fils received the runner-up award, in the presence of H.E. Nasser bin Ghanem Al-Khelaifi, President of the Qatar Tennis, Squash, Padel and Badminton Federation.

Alcaraz claimed the Qatar title for the first time after defeating Fils, ranked No. 40 in the world, in straight sets 6–2, 6–1 in the final.

The victory marked Alcaraz’s third win over Fils in their third ATP Tour meeting.

The Spanish star, who has won 25 career titles including seven Grand Slam crowns — most recently the 2026 Australian Open — secured the Qatar title during his second consecutive appearance in Doha.

In this year’s campaign, Alcaraz began from the main draw’s opening round, defeating France’s Arthur Rinderknech 6–4, 7–6, before overcoming fellow Frenchman Valentin Royer 6–2, 7–5 in the second round to reach the quarterfinals.

He then edged Russia’s Karen Khachanov, the 2024 champion, in the quarterfinals 6–7, 6–4, 6–3, and continued his impressive run by defeating another Russian, Andrey Rublev, the 2025 champion, 7–6, 6–4 in the semifinals to book his place in the final.

For his part, Arthur Fils, who has won three ATP titles in his career, began his tournament with a three-set victory over Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak (6–7, 6–3, 6–4), before defeating compatriot Quentin Halys 6–1, 7–6 in the Round of 16.

In the quarterfinals, Fils overcame Czech player Jiri Lehecka 6–3, 6–3, then advanced to the final after defeating another Czech opponent, Jakub Mensik, in straight sets 6–4, 7–6 in the semifinals.