The Spanish tennis player knew how to suffer to secure his spot in his first semifinals in this tournament and extend his winning streak to nine consecutive victories this year.
Carlos Alcaraz
Valentin Royer surprised everyone at the 2026 Doha ATP after going toe-to-toe with Carlos Alcaraz for a large part of their match, which Alcaraz ultimately won 6-2, 7-5. However, at the end of the match, as they shook hands at the net, Royer made a bold bet, saying, "I’ll come to you and Jannik, don’t worry. Some day." Alcaraz took these words in good humor and replied, "I will wait for you, man."
Royer: “I’ll come to you and Jannik, don’t worry. Some day.”
— f #7inMelbourne (@fvaeey) February 18, 2026
Carlos: “I will wait for you, man” 🔥 pic.twitter.com/b4HrJ15er4
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Esto es lo que le dijo Royer a Alcaraz en la red: "Vendré a por ti y a por Jannik"
[pixels-player]
Alcaraz prevailed against a daring Royer, who was aggressive and daring from the beginning to the end, and sets up a meeting in the Doha quarterfinals with Khachanov.
The Spanish player overcame a very tough match against Royer, after coming back from a 5-2 deficit in the second set and ensuring that "at some moments I was thinking about a third set".
Spanish player is already in the quarterfinals of the Qatari tournament after defeating Valentin Royer and now awaits the always demanding Karen Khachanov.
As he enters the final stages of his recovery from his Achilles tendon rupture, Holger Rune has made an appearance at the ATP Doha and is one of the thousands of fans present on the center court of the Qatari tournament watching the round of 16 match between Carlos Alcaraz and Valentin Royer. He has also previously attended the victory of Jannik Sinner over Alexei Popyrin. The Danish player, inactive since last October, must be eager to return to top-level competition.
Holger Rune is present at Jannik Sinner's match at the Doha tournament.
— PrinceHolger (@PrinceHolger_) February 18, 2026
Where his rehabilitation is taking place (@Aspetar) @holgerrune2003 😎❤️
pic.com/5wWvIb0gLq
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rune, presente en los partidos de Alcaraz y Sinner en Doha
[pixels-player]
Carlos' next opponent in Doha hides an exotic childhood and had a turning point in the circuit... after winning two Challengers in Rwanda, Central Africa. We tell you his story.
Carlos Alcaraz passed the first test yesterday at the ATP 500 in Doha to advance to the round of 16. He still has several challenges to overcome before aiming for the title this weekend, but the Spaniard's mind is already contemplating how the final round in Qatar could unfold. And most importantly, against whom. The player that motivates him the most to bring out his best version is not a mystery for Alcaraz, as he openly admits that Jannik Sinner is that player.
“Having Jannik in the draw is always good, you always want to match up, hopefully we can reach a final. Those are the moments you work for, to reach the final rounds, whoever the opponent may be, but... obviously, I won't lie: when Jannik is in the draw, you feel that it's much more likely to reach the final rounds and that motivates me to bring out my best level,” expressed the World No. 1 in statements collected by AS.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz confiesa cuál es el rival que más le motiva ver en los cuadros
[pixels-player]
The Spanish tennis player knew how to suffer to secure his spot in his first semifinals in this tournament and extend his winning streak to nine consecutive victories this year.
The Spanish player overcame a very tough match against Royer, after coming back from a 5-2 deficit in the second set and ensuring that "at some moments I was thinking about a third set".
Valentin Royer surprised everyone at the 2026 Doha ATP after going toe-to-toe with Carlos Alcaraz for a large part of their match, which Alcaraz ultimately won 6-2, 7-5. However, at the end of the match, as they shook hands at the net, Royer made a bold bet, saying, "I’ll come to you and Jannik, don’t worry. Some day." Alcaraz took these words in good humor and replied, "I will wait for you, man."
Royer: “I’ll come to you and Jannik, don’t worry. Some day.”
— f #7inMelbourne (@fvaeey) February 18, 2026
Carlos: “I will wait for you, man” 🔥 pic.twitter.com/b4HrJ15er4
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Esto es lo que le dijo Royer a Alcaraz en la red: "Vendré a por ti y a por Jannik"
[pixels-player]
Spanish player is already in the quarterfinals of the Qatari tournament after defeating Valentin Royer and now awaits the always demanding Karen Khachanov.
Alcaraz prevailed against a daring Royer, who was aggressive and daring from the beginning to the end, and sets up a meeting in the Doha quarterfinals with Khachanov.
As he enters the final stages of his recovery from his Achilles tendon rupture, Holger Rune has made an appearance at the ATP Doha and is one of the thousands of fans present on the center court of the Qatari tournament watching the round of 16 match between Carlos Alcaraz and Valentin Royer. He has also previously attended the victory of Jannik Sinner over Alexei Popyrin. The Danish player, inactive since last October, must be eager to return to top-level competition.
Holger Rune is present at Jannik Sinner's match at the Doha tournament.
— PrinceHolger (@PrinceHolger_) February 18, 2026
Where his rehabilitation is taking place (@Aspetar) @holgerrune2003 😎❤️
pic.com/5wWvIb0gLq
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rune, presente en los partidos de Alcaraz y Sinner en Doha
[pixels-player]
Carlos' next opponent in Doha hides an exotic childhood and had a turning point in the circuit... after winning two Challengers in Rwanda, Central Africa. We tell you his story.
Carlos Alcaraz passed the first test yesterday at the ATP 500 in Doha to advance to the round of 16. He still has several challenges to overcome before aiming for the title this weekend, but the Spaniard's mind is already contemplating how the final round in Qatar could unfold. And most importantly, against whom. The player that motivates him the most to bring out his best version is not a mystery for Alcaraz, as he openly admits that Jannik Sinner is that player.
“Having Jannik in the draw is always good, you always want to match up, hopefully we can reach a final. Those are the moments you work for, to reach the final rounds, whoever the opponent may be, but... obviously, I won't lie: when Jannik is in the draw, you feel that it's much more likely to reach the final rounds and that motivates me to bring out my best level,” expressed the World No. 1 in statements collected by AS.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz confiesa cuál es el rival que más le motiva ver en los cuadros
[pixels-player]
The man from Murcia made his debut on the right foot at the ATP in Doha and maintains his undefeated record this season: eight victories in eight matches. Valentin Royer awaits him tomorrow.
After defeating Arthur Rinderknech in the first round, the world number one has the mission to continue advancing in a tournament that is not yet in his record.