2026 Schedule Update | Carlos Alcaraz confirms Rotterdam title defence after Australian Open

Carlos Alcaraz sheds light on the path he will take in the 2026 season after being confirmed for a new tournament: the ATP 500 ABN AMRO Open, to be played in indoor hardcourts after the Australian swing. The World No. 1 will travel to Rotherdam, Netherlands to defend the title he secured in 2025, beating Alex de Minaur in the final.

It appears the Spaniard will follow a schedule similar to last season—in which he finished as World No. 1—marking a difference from the two previous years, where he opted to travel to the South American swing to play the clay-court tournaments of the Argentina Open and Rio Open.

Once Alcaraz's participation in the Australian Open concludes, he plans to follow the same path as 2025. This means he would take a week off the courts after the year's first Grand Slam, which ends on February 1st, while Rotterdam will be played from February 9th to 16th.

"My first visit to Rotterdam left me wanting more. Winning the title was obviously an important factor, but the atmosphere was excellent as well," commented the 2024 Rotterdam champion. "The welcome I received from the fans makes me excited to come back. I am looking forward to defending my title at the ABN AMRO Open."

Rotterdam is preparing a luxury lineup, having also confirmed Alexander Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Alex de Minaur for the tournament. Joining them are local Tallon Griekspoor and Greek former World No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas, a fact highlighted by tournament director Richard Krajicek: "In 2026, we are once again sticking to our fixed idea of having several top players participate. That way, there are great matches to see every day. With the world numbers one, three, five, and seven, we have an exceptionally strong field—especially when you also take Tsitsipas and Griekspoor into account.”

Earlier this same day, Alcaraz was confirmed for the Barcelona Open for the start of the clay swing in April, a tournament expected to have the 6-time major champion on its roster. "I am very happy to return to play in Barcelona and fight to get my third title. It is a very special tournament for me, with a lot of history and an incredible fanbase," Alcaraz commented to the website of the tournament, which will be held from April 11th to 19th.

Alcaraz hasn't missed the ATP 500 where he is the local favorite since his first appearance in 2021, when at 17 years old he debuted with a good battle against Frances Tiafoe, but was defeated in straight sets.

A year later, a more consolidated Alcaraz won the 4th title of his career—and second ATP 500—in Barcelona, defeating rivals like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alex de Minaur along the way, before beating Pablo Carreño Busta in the final in straight sets. He took the title again in 2023, defeating Tsitsipas in the final.

After missing the tournament in 2024, Alcaraz returned to Barcelona this year and reached the final, where he was surprised by the Dane Holger Rune—who seemingly won't be able to defend the crown after a severe Achilles tendon injury forced him to undergo surgery.