Carlos Alcaraz’s incredible start to the 2026 season rolled on as he added another trophy to his growing collection.
Alcaraz put on a clinical performance in the Dubai final, easing past Arthur Fils in under an hour without dropping more than three games. It was another dominant display that extended his unbeaten run in 2026.
The world number one is now 12-0 this season, following up his back-to-back titles at the Australian Open and Qatar.
The Spaniard has also reached a significant milestone early this season, hitting a mark in the current year that he did not achieve until April in 2025.
Carlos Alcaraz’s impressive 2026 start
Alcaraz’s 2025 season did not begin with fireworks, producing just one ATP 250 and one ATP 500 title in the first four months.
This year has started on a much stronger note, as the Spaniard has already earned more ranking points from just two tournaments than he had by April of last season.
With victories at both the Australian Open and Qatar Open, Alcaraz has put together a total of 2500 points. That tally is higher than what he managed over his first six events last year.
Last term, it took him until after Monte Carlo to match that number, needing results from Australia, Rotterdam, Qatar, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo to get there.
Sinner was not active on Tour for much of that early stretch in 2025 either. So this time around, Alcaraz will feel he has put himself in a far stronger position right out of the blocks.
He will now take some time off before returning for the Sunshine Double at Indian Wells and Miami Open later in March.
Jannik Sinner is already playing catch-up in 2026
Sinner did not play between the start of 2025 and the Italian Open, giving him a long stretch without any points to defend. Even so, Alcaraz’s quick start to 2026 is widening the gap between them.
Alcaraz’s win in Qatar added another 300 points to his total lead, stretching it to a remarkable 3,150-point margin.
The Spaniard had previously lost an Indian Wells semi-final against Jack Draper in 2025, but given his current level, he will expect at least to match that run this time around.
Sinner has never been beyond the semi-finals in Indian Wells, which gives Alcaraz another window to increase his advantage early in the season.
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