Carlos Alcaraz Defines Success

By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, February 22, 2026
Photo credit: Qatar ExxonMobil Open Facebook

Carlos Alcaraz soared to his second title of the season in just 50 minutes.

Alcaraz annihilated Frenchman Arthur Fils, 6-2, 6-1 in the Doha final to capture his 26th career championship—and raise his 2026 record to a perfect 12-0.

So what does Alcaraz do for an encore?

The world No. 1 says in the race for success there is no finish line. Alcaraz said he defines success as more than lifting tournament trophies and setting records, it’s about evolving as a player and maturing as a man.

“I think for me success, it’s 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 just 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.

“As you can see, I’m a totally different person and player than back in 2022 that I got the No. 1 spot in my first Grand Slam. So I’m just trying to grow up as a person, as a player, and getting mature and seeing myself in a position that I just really like to be. I think for me that’s the real success. That’s why I’m just really proud and enjoying every time that I step on the court. That’s what I define success so far in my career.”

Last month, Alcaraz powered past Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to capture his first Australian Open championship and make history as the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.

The 22-year-old Spaniard said his immediate goals are performing well at the upcoming Sunshine Double at Indian Wells and Miami, where he fell to David Goffin, before preparing to defend his Roland Garros title. If Alcaraz, who denied three championship points to defeat Jannik Sinner in the 2025 French Open final, successfully defends Paris, he will be halfway to the calendar Grand Slam.

“I’ve been injured, and in that time that you are out of the competition, you’re missing it, and you realize how beautiful it, is the competition and the tennis,” Alcaraz said. “So once I’m able to do it, it’s time to stop thinking about it, and think how beautiful and how lucky am I to step on court. So that’s why I’m enjoying every time that I compete and that I step on the court. That’s why you can see myself really happy, even if I’m losing, or even if I lose a point or whatever.

“Obviously, talking about goals, you know, it’s the biggest tournaments in the world, the Masters 1000s, the Grand Slams. The next one is Roland Garros. That’s a tournament that I just have great memories and great experience in that tournament, really looking forward to playing there, to being good there. Before that I have a lot of special tournaments ahead that I just really want to be prepared for.”