When will Carlos Alcaraz play his next tournament after Australian Open 2026?
(Courtesy :Â @atptour/Twitter)
Alcaraz clinched his maiden Australian Open trophy to become the youngest ever career slam winner.
Carlos Alcaraz delivered a historic triumph at the Australian Open 2026, defeating Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in the final to claim his maiden title in Melbourne.
At just 22 years old, the Spaniard became the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam, adding this crown to his collection and bringing his total to seven Grand Slam titles.
The victory, which came after a demanding two-week run, solidified his status as world No. 1 and marked an exhilarating start to what promises to be another dominant season.
Following the emotional and physical highs of Melbourne, Alcaraz was initially slated to defend his title at the Rotterdam Open, an ATP 500 event held from February 9-15.
As the reigning champion, he lifted his first indoor trophy there last year by beating Alex de Minaur in three sets and Alcaraz had been expected to headline the field.
However, he has officially withdrawn, as confirmed by the tournament on social media. His decision is understandable, as after the intense exertions of the Australian Open, including the grueling final against Djokovic, he needs more recovery time to recharge physically and mentally.
The organizers issued a supportive statement: âCarlos Alcaraz wonât defend his title in Rotterdam. The Australian Open champion concluded that after his exertions over the past two weeks, he needs more time to return to action.
We wish Carlos a swift recovery.â This choice means he will drop 500 ranking points but retain a commanding lead over Jannik Sinner with over 13,000 points.
When will Carlos Alcaraz be in action next after Australian Open 2026?
Despite his withdrawal from the Rotterdam event, the Spaniard is expected to be back in action soon. Alcaraz has entered the Qatar Open, an ATP 500 tournament in Doha, scheduled from February 16-21.
This hard-court event follows the WTA tournament in the same city and boasts a stacked lineup, including World No. 2 Jannik Sinner, No. 3 Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev (the defending champion), and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Last year, Alcaraz reached the quarterfinals there before a surprise loss to Jiri Lehecka. Doha offers ideal preparation and a high-profile stage for the new Australian Open champion to build momentum ahead of the Sunshine Double.
What did Carlos Alcaraz achieve at the Australian Open 2026?
Carlos Alcaraz won his first Australian Open title, defeating Novak Djokovic in the final and becoming the youngest player in the Open Era to complete a Career Grand Slam.
How old was Alcaraz when he completed the Career Grand Slam?
Alcaraz was 22 years old, making him the youngest man to achieve this feat in the Open Era.
How many Grand Slam titles does Carlos Alcaraz have now?
With his Australian Open victory, Alcaraz now has seven Grand Slam titles.
Why did Alcaraz withdraw from the Rotterdam Open?
He withdrew to allow himself more time to recover physically and mentally after the demanding Australian Open campaign.
When is Carlos Alcaraz expected to return to competition?
Alcaraz is expected to return at the Qatar Open in Doha, scheduled from February 16â21, 2026.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovicâs resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.