The world number one had to save two set points in the second set to avoid complications and reach the second round in one of the few tournaments that still resist him.
Carlos Alcaraz
Both countries are among the top five in terms of the most titles won in the Open Era, with much fewer resources than very powerful federations.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has shared through his social media the fun practice session he had with Carlos Alcaraz just before his debut in the ATP 500 in Doha. The video shows various moments where both players display their talents, a day before stepping onto the court for the first time. The world number 1 will play against Arthur Rnderknech, while the Greek player will face Moez Echargui.
Fun practice with @carlosalcaraz in Doha 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Yn2BJxdSDz
— Stefanos Tsitsipas (@stefanos) February 16, 2026
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Tsitsipas comparte un vídeo de su divertido entrenamiento con Alcaraz en Doha
[pixels-player]
The Doha tournament is known for pioneering activities off the courts that delight the tennis players. In past editions, we saw Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray rubbing shoulders with falcons. However, in 2026, the Qataris have decided to turn the tables and have the world's best... go fishing. Yes, you read that right: on a traditional Qatari boat, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Andrey Rublev dared to catch fish in the middle of the Persian Gulf, having a blast in the process and also scoring big. The video says it all: they had fun like little kids.
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Andrey Rublev, and Daniil Medvedev went fishing together in Doha.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 17, 2026
The matching pants are taking me out
😭😭😭😭
(via @qemopen & @QatarTennis) pic.twitter.com/c1KnxACfEp
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz, Sinner, Medvedev y Rublev se lo pasan pipa en Doha... ¡pescando!
[pixels-player]
It's a common practice in 500-level tournaments: if you want to attract the best, you have to loosen your purse strings. Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and many other big names condition their presence in "non-mandatory" tournaments on the so-called "appearance fee", upfront fees that players decide to be part of your event... and Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are no different, of course. In this case, ATP Doha 2026 is not holding back in securing their presence: as revealed by La Gazzetta dello Sport, both of them pocket 1.2 million euros just to participate in the Qatari tournament, an amount that doubles what they would get if they were to win the tournament (the champion takes home $529,945 as prize money). They won't leave empty-handed, for sure.
According to Gazzetta, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz each earned a $1.2M appearance fee for playing Doha.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 16, 2026
The tournament winner will take home $529,945.
The runner-up will earn $285,095.
Source: https://t.co/q7pcMoGb7L pic.twitter.com/EvGuGldvWm
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sinner, Alcaraz y una millonada por jugar en Doha: esto es lo que ingresarán a nivel monetario
[pixels-player]
Alcaraz is now the 10th player in history with 180 consecutive weeks in the top-3 of the ATP ranking
Carlos Alcaraz continues to add historic lines to his tennis résumé, which is in constant growth. One of the most surprising milestones is the one he achieves this Monday, February 16. The Spanish player reaches 180 consecutive weeks as a member of the top-3 of the ATP ranking, a feat only accomplished by nine other players before him.
Ranking update
— Philippe A (@PhilBlack09) February 16, 2026
180 straight weeks in the Top3 for #Alcaraz!
He's only the 10th player (all Legends!) with such a streak since the rankings creation & should soon pass #Borg for N9.#Lendl (465) & #Federer (432) lead.#Sinner also has a great on-going streak: 14th with 105wks pic.twitter.com/bgXFoISAeB
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz ya es el 10º jugador de la historia con 180 semanas seguidas en el top-3 del ranking ATP
[pixels-player]
Spanish and Italian kick off with the Doha tournament, months in which they will engage in a very interesting battle keeping an eye on the ATP ranking.
We reveal all the necessary details to watch Alcaraz's first match live in the ATP 500 tournament in Doha.
The world number one had to save two set points in the second set to avoid complications and reach the second round in one of the few tournaments that still resist him.
The Doha tournament is known for pioneering activities off the courts that delight the tennis players. In past editions, we saw Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray rubbing shoulders with falcons. However, in 2026, the Qataris have decided to turn the tables and have the world's best... go fishing. Yes, you read that right: on a traditional Qatari boat, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Andrey Rublev dared to catch fish in the middle of the Persian Gulf, having a blast in the process and also scoring big. The video says it all: they had fun like little kids.
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Andrey Rublev, and Daniil Medvedev went fishing together in Doha.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 17, 2026
The matching pants are taking me out
😭😭😭😭
(via @qemopen & @QatarTennis) pic.twitter.com/c1KnxACfEp
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz, Sinner, Medvedev y Rublev se lo pasan pipa en Doha... ¡pescando!
[pixels-player]
Both countries are among the top five in terms of the most titles won in the Open Era, with much fewer resources than very powerful federations.
It's a common practice in 500-level tournaments: if you want to attract the best, you have to loosen your purse strings. Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and many other big names condition their presence in "non-mandatory" tournaments on the so-called "appearance fee", upfront fees that players decide to be part of your event... and Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are no different, of course. In this case, ATP Doha 2026 is not holding back in securing their presence: as revealed by La Gazzetta dello Sport, both of them pocket 1.2 million euros just to participate in the Qatari tournament, an amount that doubles what they would get if they were to win the tournament (the champion takes home $529,945 as prize money). They won't leave empty-handed, for sure.
According to Gazzetta, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz each earned a $1.2M appearance fee for playing Doha.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 16, 2026
The tournament winner will take home $529,945.
The runner-up will earn $285,095.
Source: https://t.co/q7pcMoGb7L pic.twitter.com/EvGuGldvWm
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sinner, Alcaraz y una millonada por jugar en Doha: esto es lo que ingresarán a nivel monetario
[pixels-player]
Stefanos Tsitsipas has shared through his social media the fun practice session he had with Carlos Alcaraz just before his debut in the ATP 500 in Doha. The video shows various moments where both players display their talents, a day before stepping onto the court for the first time. The world number 1 will play against Arthur Rnderknech, while the Greek player will face Moez Echargui.
Fun practice with @carlosalcaraz in Doha 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Yn2BJxdSDz
— Stefanos Tsitsipas (@stefanos) February 16, 2026
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Tsitsipas comparte un vídeo de su divertido entrenamiento con Alcaraz en Doha
[pixels-player]
Alcaraz is now the 10th player in history with 180 consecutive weeks in the top-3 of the ATP ranking
Carlos Alcaraz continues to add historic lines to his tennis résumé, which is in constant growth. One of the most surprising milestones is the one he achieves this Monday, February 16. The Spanish player reaches 180 consecutive weeks as a member of the top-3 of the ATP ranking, a feat only accomplished by nine other players before him.
Ranking update
— Philippe A (@PhilBlack09) February 16, 2026
180 straight weeks in the Top3 for #Alcaraz!
He's only the 10th player (all Legends!) with such a streak since the rankings creation & should soon pass #Borg for N9.#Lendl (465) & #Federer (432) lead.#Sinner also has a great on-going streak: 14th with 105wks pic.twitter.com/bgXFoISAeB
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz ya es el 10º jugador de la historia con 180 semanas seguidas en el top-3 del ranking ATP
[pixels-player]
Spanish and Italian kick off with the Doha tournament, months in which they will engage in a very interesting battle keeping an eye on the ATP ranking.
We reveal all the necessary details to watch Alcaraz's first match live in the ATP 500 tournament in Doha.
Both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are back in action at ATP Doha. The two current circuit dominators are the top favorites to win the title and could potentially meet in a final. In an interview with Sky Sports, the Spanish player revealed what another match against the Italian would mean: "It would be incredible, wouldn't it? I believe these are the matches and finals that people want to see. If I can win and advance through all rounds, then we will see who makes it to the final," commented the world number one.
They call it "the dream final" and it could happen next Saturday between you & Jannik
— best of sincaraz (@jannikandcarlos) February 15, 2026
Carlos: "It would be incredible, wouldn't it? I believe these are the matches and the finals that people want to see... if I can win and move through all rounds, then we'll see who makes it to the final" pic.twitter.com/bM0nnuP4iy
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz, sobre sus duelos con Sinner: "Son los partidos y las finales que la gente quiere ver"
[pixels-player]
The Doha tournament has already released the order of play for the first day of competition in the main draw. The Qatari tournament marks the return to the courts for Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner after the first big moment of the season in Australia. The Italian will make his debut against Tomas Machac on Monday not before 17:30 Spanish time. Daniil Medvedev, Jakub Mensik, or Arthur Fils will also appear on the first day of competition. On the other hand, Carlos Alcaraz will debut on Tuesday against the Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Orden de juego del lunes 16 de febrero en el ATP Doha 2026: Sinner debuta mañana en Doha; Alcaraz, el martes
[pixels-player]