![\"Carlos](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/alcaraz-february-2026-practice.jpg\")
<\/p>\n Doha
\n Alcaraz taking nothing for granted on return to action: \u2018I see myself with weaknesses\u2019<\/p>\n
World No. 1 headlines the field, alongside Sinner, at next week\u2019s Doha ATP 500<\/p>\n
February 15, 2026<\/p>\n
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Clive Brunskill\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
Carlos Alcaraz during a practice session earlier this week in Spain.
\n By Andy West<\/p>\n
Given Carlos Alcaraz<\/a> is the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings and has just completed the Career Grand Slam with his Australian Open<\/a> win, he could be forgiven for sitting back and admiring his work so far in 2026. <\/p>\n The Spaniard, of course, has other ideas. Alcaraz is infused with the relentless desire to improve that has always characterised the greatest players in tennis history, and that is what will be at the forefront of his mind next week when he returns to action as the top seed at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open<\/a> in Doha. <\/p>\n \u201cObviously I can see myself that [I have had] a lot of success so far, winning the biggest tournaments in the world,\u201d said Alcaraz on Sunday at his pre-tournament press conference in Qatar. \u201cBut I just see myself with weaknesses. A lot of players, I know that they’re trying to catch me up in terms of they are studying my game, they study how I play, trying to beat me, trying to challenge me. <\/p>\n \u201cI have to be ready for that, and I have to see where my level is, where my tennis is. I have to try to put myself in their minds and think what they could do when playing against me. So that’s what I mean about saying I have to improve some things. Obviously, you cannot be lagging in the level, you just have to keep it going.\u201d <\/p>\n One obvious example of the rivals Alcaraz was referring to is Jannik Sinner<\/a>. The Italian lines up as the second seed in the Doha field, presenting the possibility of a 17th chapter of the pair\u2019s electric Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry in the championship match. Yet the 22-year-old Alcaraz has no intention of getting ahead of himself as he looks to better the quarter-final run he forged on Doha debut a year ago. <\/p>\n \u201cI know how difficult every match is. Every match is different, our play is totally different,\u201d said the Spaniard, who takes on Top 30 star Arthur Rinderknech<\/a> in his opener. \u201cI think this draw is a really tough one for a 500 tournament. We can see the first matches how good matches that we have in the first round. <\/p>\n \u201cSo [I\u2019m] just thinking about a match at a time, and let’s see how far I can go. Obviously my mind is trying to go as far as I can. If it’s possible to play a final, obviously that would be great, and that’s what I’m looking for, so let’s see. I’m not thinking about playing or just putting myself in the final too early. I want to think day by day.\u201d <\/p>\n You May Also Like: Carlos Alcaraz’s Career Grand Slam: Daring tennis, defining triumph<\/a><\/p>\n