It’s not every day that tennis fans see the world’s top players swap their racquets for fishing rods, but that’s exactly what happened in Doha ahead of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. On February 17, 2026, World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Andrey Rublev set aside their fierce on-court rivalries for a lighthearted fishing trip to Qatar’s northern ports. Dressed in matching white T-shirts and plaid trousers, the four stars enjoyed a rare moment of camaraderie, sharing laughs and casting lines as cameras captured the fun for social media. “It was very quick, it was one and a half hours, but we had a lot of fun,” Sinner said after his opening win in Doha. “Doing something different, but also getting to know each other a little bit better. We talked about different stuff. It was nice to share this moment with all the other players. We had a great atmosphere. This helps also before tournaments, and also to do something different to relax. It was a nice experience. It was the first time that I went fishing, so it was something new also for me.”
But the real action, of course, was always going to be on the tennis courts. Carlos Alcaraz, fresh from his historic Australian Open triumph, returned to competitive play at the Qatar Open, and he didn’t miss a beat. In his first match since Melbourne, Alcaraz dispatched Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), overcoming a dangerous opponent with poise and precision. The Spaniard’s win marked his first since becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, a feat that also saw him break a record previously held by Jim Courier. “It was really difficult. Arthur is a really dangerous player. Nobody wants to play against him in the first round,” Alcaraz shared in his post-match comments. “I’m happy with the level. I’m happy that I got through difficult moments in the match. I’m happy that I stayed calm and positive, and played great tennis.”
Alcaraz’s return to Doha is his second consecutive appearance at the tournament, having reached the quarterfinals on his debut last year. This time, he’s looking to go even further, and his motivation is running high—especially with Jannik Sinner in the draw. The rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner has become one of the sport’s most compelling storylines. Both players have pushed each other to new heights, and Alcaraz is the first to admit that Sinner’s presence brings out his best tennis. “I’m not going to lie. When Jannik is in the draw, it’s much more likely that I’ll reach the final rounds, and that motivates me to bring my best level, to go day by day trying to see my name in that final,” Alcaraz said. “And hopefully I can play against him because those are the matches that really make me improve.”
The statistics back up Alcaraz’s words. In 2025, he reached the finals 75% of the time when Sinner was also competing, compared to just 57.1% when Sinner was absent. That extra edge seemed to disappear during Sinner’s three-month suspension after the 2025 Australian Open—a period that coincided with Alcaraz’s worst form of the season. Their friendly rivalry has become a driving force for both, and fans are eager to see if Doha will set the stage for their 17th Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting. Should they meet in the final, it would be their first clash of 2026 and a fitting highlight for the tournament.
Sinner, for his part, made an immediate impact in his Qatar Open debut. The Italian cruised past Tomas Machac 6-1, 6-4, displaying his trademark blend of power and finesse. Sinner’s next opponent is Alexei Popyrin, who advanced by defeating Qatari wild card Mubarak Shannan Zayid 6-0, 6-2. Sinner, who described the pre-tournament fishing trip as “something new also for me,” is clearly relishing both the competition and the camaraderie in Doha. “Doing something different, but also getting to know each other a little bit better. We talked about different stuff. It was nice to share this moment with all the other players. We had a great atmosphere,” Sinner reflected.
Meanwhile, the other top seeds have also made strong starts. Andrey Rublev, the defending champion and 2020 Doha winner, advanced comfortably past Jesper de Jong 6-4, 6-3. Rublev, who could face Alcaraz in the semi-finals if both continue their winning ways, is determined to defend his title. Karen Khachanov, seeded seventh, overcame Japanese lucky loser Shintaro Mochizuki in three sets, keeping his hopes alive for a potential quarter-final showdown with Alcaraz. Over in another section of the draw, Stefanos Tsitsipas powered past Tunisian wild card Moez Echargui, setting up a blockbuster meeting with Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev, who was part of the fishing excursion, secured a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Shang Juncheng before falling to Tsitsipas in the second round.
The stakes in Doha are high, not just for the title but for momentum as the ATP season heats up. Alcaraz and Sinner are both seeking their first Qatar Open crowns—Alcaraz in his second attempt, Sinner on debut. With both players three wins away from the final, anticipation is building for a possible championship showdown. Their paths, however, are anything but guaranteed. Alcaraz must first navigate a tricky encounter with Frenchman Valentin Royer, ranked 60th in the world, while Sinner faces the dangerous Popyrin. For Alcaraz, every match is an opportunity to consolidate his position atop the ATP rankings and reinforce his status as the man to beat in 2026.
Off the court, the lighter moments have provided a refreshing counterpoint to the intensity of the competition. The fishing trip, with its relaxed banter and shared smiles, offered fans a rare glimpse into the personalities behind the headlines. It’s not every week that the world’s best players find time to bond over a new hobby, but in Doha, the spirit of friendship and rivalry is thriving side by side.
As the Qatar ExxonMobil Open unfolds, all eyes are on the top seeds and the tantalizing prospect of another Alcaraz-Sinner classic. With both stars in top form and the rest of the field hungry for an upset, the race for Doha glory is wide open. The next few days promise high drama, big serves, and perhaps a few more surprises—on and off the court. Stay tuned as the action continues and the world’s best cast their lines for a shot at the title.