Carlos Alcaraz lifted his 17th ATP trophy in Rotterdam. The 21-year-old celebrated his first indoor hard trophy, completing the collection after earning titles on all four surfaces. Novak Djokovic, who respects Carlos a lot, congratulated the young gun on his latest success.
The two rivals battled in the Australian Open quarter-final, with the veteran prevailing in four sets after nearly three hours and 40 minutes. Djokovic and Alcaraz could meet again next week at the ATP 500 event in Doha.
After a thrilling win over Jannik Sinner in Beijing last year, Alcaraz claimed another ATP 500 crown in Rotterdam, becoming the first Spaniard to celebrate at the prestigious indoor event. Many questioned the Spaniard’s game on an indoor surface.
Carlos Alcaraz was unstoppable in Rotterdam 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/sjy00cYw6r
— Eurosport (@eurosport) February 9, 2025
He battled past a couple of challenging rivals and lifted a trophy, his first in over four months. Carlos battled past Hubert Hurkacz in the semi-final and arranged the title clash with Alex de Minaur. They battled for an hour and 54 minutes.
The Spaniard bested the Aussie 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to lift a trophy and conquer his sixth ATP 500 title at 21. Alcaraz won only four points more than de Minaur. He played better behind the second serve and got broken two times.
Carlos Alcaraz, Rotterdam 2025© Stream screesnhot
Alex lost serve four times, losing ground in the decider and finishing runner-up for the second straight year in Rotterdam. Carlos hit more service winners, while the 3rd seed reduced the gap from the baseline. It all came down to the final set, where Alcaraz outplayed fellow top-10 rival.
World no. 3 made a flying start and forged a healthy advantage. He landed a forehand winner in the third game of the encounter for a break at 15 and an early lead. The Spaniard provided two fine holds and forged a 4-2 advantage.
Carlos Alcaraz, Rotterdam 2025© Stream screenshot
The Aussie recovered his game after that break he suffered, making a push on the return in game eight. The 3rd seed secured a break at love, locking the result at 4-4 and returning to the positive side. Alcaraz left that setback behind and made a push on the return in game nine.
The young gun fired a backhand down the line winner to clinch a break and move 5-4 in front. Carlos served for the opener at 5-4 and landed a service winner to wrap up the first part of the duel. De Minaur stepped in on the return in the second game of the second set.
Rotterdam 2025© Stream screenshot
He seized the second break chance to move in front and gain confidence. The Spaniard faced two more break points in the fourth game that could have sent him further behind. The top seed saved them and remained within one break deficit.
Alex denied a break point in the seventh game with a forehand winner and closed the game for 5-2. The Aussie delivered a fine hold at 5-3 and introduced a decider after an hour and 13 minutes. Like a true champion, Alcaraz started from the beginning and overpowered his rival.
Rotterdam 2025© Stream screenshot
He missed a break chance in the second game and held in game five after a deuce for 3-2. Carlos hit a backhand down the line return winner in the sixth game and created two break chances. He welcomed the rival’s mistake on the first and opened a 4-2 gap.
The Spaniard held in game seven with a service winner and stepped in on the return at 5-2. Carlos created two match points and converted the second, lifting his 17th ATP trophy at 21.
Tennis World USA