Carlos Alcaraz’s 2026 Schedule for January and February

Highlights

Blockbuster Season Opener in Seoul: Alcaraz kicks off his 2026 campaign with a high-profile exhibition match against his arch-rival, Jannik Sinner, on January 10 at the Inspire Arena in South Korea.
Targeting the Career Grand Slam: The primary goal for January is the Australian Open, where a victory would make Alcaraz the youngest man in history to win all four major titles.
Strategic Warm-Up in Melbourne: Instead of playing a full ATP tune-up tournament, Alcaraz will play a targeted charity practice match against local favorite Alex de Minaur at Rod Laver Arena on January 15.
Defending the Rotterdam Crown: In February, Alcaraz returns to the ABN AMRO Open to defend his title, confirming his commitment to indoor hard courts over the South American clay swing.

As the 2026 ATP Tour season kicks into high gear, Carlos Alcaraz has finalized a schedule that blends high-octane preparation with strategic rest. Entering the year as the World No. 1, the 22-year-old Spaniard is bypassing the traditional small warm-up tournaments to focus on marquee exhibition clashes before the first Grand Slam of the year.

January 2026: The “Super Match” and The Australian Open

Alcaraz’s 2026 campaign does not begin in Australia, but in South Korea. In a move that highlights the global demand for tennis’s brightest stars, Alcaraz will headline a blockbuster exhibition event in Seoul.

The Season Opener: Seoul Exhibition vs. Jannik Sinner (January 10) Before heading down under, Alcaraz will stop in Seoul to face his greatest rival, Jannik Sinner, in the Hyundai Card Super Match on January 10. Held at the Incheon Inspire Arena, this exhibition is more than just a friendly hit; it is a clash between the world’s top two players just a week before the Australian Open. It offers Alcaraz a high-intensity test against the defending Australian Open champion without the pressure of ATP ranking points.

Melbourne Warm-up: Charity Match vs. Alex de Minaur (January 15) Upon arriving in Melbourne, Alcaraz will fine-tune his game in the “Australian Open Opening Week” exhibition series. He is scheduled to play a practice match against local favorite Alex de Minaur on Thursday, January 15 at Rod Laver Arena. This mirrors his preparation from 2025, allowing him to acclimatize to the specific conditions of Center Court before the tournament proper begins.

The Main Event: Australian Open (January 18 – February 1) The centerpiece of his early season is the Australian Open. Alcaraz arrives in Melbourne with one clear objective: to capture the only Grand Slam title missing from his cabinet.

The Stakes: A victory would complete the Career Grand Slam, making him the youngest man in history to achieve the feat.
The Strategy: By skipping official ATP 250 warm-up events (like Brisbane or Adelaide) in favor of targeted exhibitions, Alcaraz aims to enter the fortnight fresh, avoiding the fatigue that plagued his early career.

February 2026: Indoor Dominance Over Clay Nostalgia

Once the dust settles in Melbourne, Alcaraz will shift his focus to Europe. For the second consecutive year, he has chosen to skip the “Golden Swing” of clay tournaments in South America (Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro), signaling a permanent shift in his early-season philosophy.

Title Defense: ABN AMRO Open (February 9 – 15) Alcaraz will return to the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam to defend his title. In 2025, he claimed his first indoor hard-court trophy here by defeating Alex de Minaur in the final.

Why Rotterdam? Tournament Director Richard Krajicek confirmed that Alcaraz is prioritizing indoor hard courts to maintain a consistent surface rhythm between Australia and the North American “Sunshine Double” (Indian Wells/Miami) in March. Switching to clay for two weeks in February is now seen as an unnecessary physical risk.

Summary of Alcaraz’s Confirmed Schedule (Jan–Feb 2026)

Dates	Tournament / Event	Location	Category	Surface
Jan 10	Hyundai Card Super Match	Seoul, South Korea	Exhibition	Hard (Indoor)
Jan 15	AO Opening Week (vs. De Minaur)	Melbourne, Australia	Exhibition	Hard (Outdoor)
Jan 18 – Feb 1	Australian Open	Melbourne, Australia	Grand Slam	Hard (Outdoor)
Feb 9 – Feb 15	ABN AMRO Open	Rotterdam, Netherlands	ATP 500	Hard (Indoor)