Alcaraz Signals a Clay Comeback: Barcelona 2026 Open Aims for a Third Title
17 December 2025
Return to Barcelona: Alcaraz’s 2026 plan
Organizers of the Barcelona Open Bank Sabadell, scheduled from April 11-19 next year, confirmed that world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz will headline the 2026 edition.
The Spaniard, who lifted the title in 2022 and 2023, finished runner-up to Holger Rune in 2025 and missed the 2024 edition due to injury.
Clay-court swing toward Roland Garros
Alcaraz now faces a demanding European clay-court schedule that culminates at Roland Garros. Before Barcelona, he will defend his Monte Carlo crown and then compete in the Madrid and Rome Masters as lead-ins to Paris.
Barcelona is a 500-point event and remains a key stop to bolster his tally. He finished last year as runner-up, collecting 330 of 500 points, with a possible gain if he wins again.
Speaking to reporters, he said: I am very happy to play in Barcelona again and fight for my third title. It’s a very special tournament with a long history, played on courts I’ve known since I’ve been a kid. The love from the fans makes it even more emotional.
He also noted that Madrid adds to his tally, though he withdrew from the 2025 edition due to a muscle injury sustained in the Barcelona final against Rune.
Punchlines: On clay, he seems to have a built-in GPS for the court. If the rallies get long, he’ll just serve up a smile and keep the crowd guessing.
Two light jokes to close: If you blink, you might miss the ace—Alcaraz keeps the clay on its toes. And don’t worry about the crowd—Barcelona’s seats already booked him as the main attraction, with a standing ovation included in the price of admission.
