Andrey Rublev Explains Why He Doesn’t Think Carlos Alcaraz is ‘Invincible’ After Qatar Open Clash

World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz holds a 5-1 head-to-head over Andrey Rublev.

Andrey Rublev Explains Why He Doesn’t Think Carlos Alcaraz is ‘Invincible’ After Qatar Open Clash

Andrey Rublev, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz Brasil)

In Short
  • Carlos Alcaraz won his first Qatar Open title after defeating Andrey Rublev in the semifinals.
  • Rublev believes that while Alcaraz is a strong competitor, he is not invincible and emphasizes self-belief.
  • Andy Roddick praised Alcaraz's improved serve and backhand consistency, noting he is currently the top player in men's tennis.

Carlos Alcaraz kicked off his campaign for the 2026 season in an emphatic fashion, as after winning his career’s first Australian Open title, he clinched his maiden title at the Qatar Open by defeating Arthur Fils. Prior to making the final of the Doha event for the first time, Alcaraz knocked out Andrey Rublev in the semifinals.

The win helped the seven-time Grand Slam champion improve his head-to-head record to 5-1. The lone win that the Russian has registered came in their second meeting in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Madrid Open. Rublev, in an interview with Marca, analyzed his latest match against the World No. 1.

I think it’s more of a question for him because he’s the one winning the matches. My feeling is that I want to beat him. And that I want to be competitive enough to win titles. You can’t get it into your head that he’s invincible. You have to respect Carlos and any other opponent, but at the same time believe in yourself and think you can win. If you don’t believe it, it’s better not to go out on the court.

Rublev was bidding to defend his title in Doha. Last year, he defeated Jack Draper in the tournament. He also made the final of the Hamburg European Open, where Flavio Cobolli defeated him.

It’s true that he played well, without doing anything incredible, but I was able to compete on equal terms from the baseline. I felt like I could keep up with his pace, his power, his intensity… And it’s the first time I’ve noticed that with Alcaraz on the other side of the net.

Andrey Rublev added

Prior to the Qatar ATP 500 event, Rublev lost to Francisco Cerundolo in the third round of the Australian Open. Alcaraz, on the other hand, first knocked out Alexander Zverev in five sets in the tournament’s longest semifinal (lasted for five hours and 27 minutes). He then defeated Novak Djokovic in four sets in the final to become the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam as well as to win seven Major titles.

Andy Roddick on the two aspects of the game that Carlos Alcaraz has improved

Andy Roddick doesn’t share the opinion with those who still think Carlos Alcaraz doesn’t perform consistently. On his served podcast, Roddick lauded the World No.1 for his performance since the 2025 season, clinching 10 titles from 13 finals.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

You have to cover so many different pockets of earth on court with Carlos. He is serving unbelievably. His serve is much better than it was two years ago. His backhand consistency is much better than it was two years ago. His ability to basically be able to get in, if you hit a heavy ball to him. He is still able to get in off of it, which has to be depressing.

Roddick said no player other than Jannik Sinner is able to challenge Alcaraz at the moment. Last year, Sinner met the Spaniard six times and beat him twice. After losing the Roland Garros final, the four-time Major champion denied Alcaraz the three-peat at Wimbledon.

Alcaraz then denied him his second consecutive US Open title but failed to down him in the title clash of the ATP Finals. Sinner, who trails 6-10 in the head-to-head matchups against Alcaraz, has yet to win a title this season.

The Italian, who was bidding to win his third consecutive title at the Australian Open, lost to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. Later at the Qatar Open, Jakub Mensik eliminated him in the quarterfinals.

Also read: Grigor Dimitrov Opens Up on Changes to His Game Since Injury against Jannik Sinner in Wimbledon