Carlos Alcaraz secured his maiden indoor title in style at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam, overcoming Alex de Minaur 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in Sunday’s final. The victory not only marks his first trophy of the 2025 season but also makes him the first Spanish champion in the tournament’s 52-year history.
Despite battling a cold throughout the week, Alcaraz showcased his trademark resilience and shot-making to outlast his Australian opponent in an intense one-hour, 54-minute encounter. The 21-year-old, now boasting 17 career titles, reflected on the significance of the moment.
“This week has been really special for me,” Alcaraz said. “Not just because of the title, but because of the incredible support I’ve received since day one. It felt like I had been playing here for years.”
De Minaur, who was contesting his second consecutive Rotterdam final, showed impressive form throughout the week but ultimately couldn’t withstand Alcaraz’s firepower in the decider. Despite the defeat, the 25-year-old will rise to a career-high No. 6 in the ATP rankings on Monday, leapfrogging Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev.
The match opened with Alcaraz asserting his dominance early, breaking de Minaur to take control of the first set. Although the Australian fought back to level at 4-4, Alcaraz immediately responded with another break before serving out the set.
The second set saw a shift in momentum as de Minaur raised his level, stepping inside the baseline to dictate points with aggressive groundstrokes. His defensive skills were also on display, highlighted by an impressive angled backhand pass. Racing to a 3-0 lead, de Minaur fended off a comeback attempt from Alcaraz and closed out the set 6-3.
However, when the match entered a deciding set, Alcaraz elevated his game once again. After a tight opening exchange, he pounced in the sixth game, breaking de Minaur with a searing inside-out forehand. From there, the Spaniard didn’t look back, sealing the victory by winning five of the last six games.
Frustration for De Minaur
Though disappointed with another runner-up finish, de Minaur remains positive about his progress.
“We’re pushing for bigger and better things,” he said. “It’s been two years now with this runner-up trophy. Hopefully, one day I’ll get my hands on the winner’s one.”
The Australian revealed post-match that he had been struggling with illness throughout the tournament but was still proud of his performance.
“It’s been a tough week physically, but I gave everything I had,” he said. “I thought I had my chances today, but Carlos played the big points better.”
Alcaraz Adds to His Legacy
With this triumph, Alcaraz continues to expand his list of accomplishments. Having already won ATP 500 titles on clay, grass, and outdoor hard courts, he now adds an indoor crown to his résumé. The four-time Grand Slam champion also improves his head-to-head record against de Minaur to 3-0, all at ATP 500 level.
For de Minaur, the result caps another strong tournament, reinforcing his status among the world’s elite. Having reached his fourth consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final at the Australian Open last month, the Australian is determined to take the next step and claim more big titles.
As for Alcaraz, the victory in Rotterdam signals a strong start to his 2025 campaign, erasing the disappointment of his Australian Open quarter-final loss to Djokovic. With his game clicking into gear, the young Spaniard looks poised for another big season on the tour.
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