Carlos Alcaraz’s Rotterdam milestone earns Rafael Nadal’s appreciation

Rafael Nadal failed to overcome the celebrated indoor occasion in Rotterdam. Rafa competed at this event two instances, shedding the ultimate to Andy Murray in 2009 and by no means returning. The Spaniards had no luck in Rotterdam earlier than Carlos Alcaraz modified that final week!

Carlos claimed his first indoor ATP title in Rotterdam. Thus, he grew to become the primary Spanish participant on the record of champions at this occasion and accomplished the trophies on all 4 surfaces at 21 years and 9 months.

As many instances earlier than, Nadal congratulated Alcaraz on his most up-to-date success. Final October, Carlos overpowered Jannik Sinner in that epic Beijing Open closing. 4 months later, the younger gun added the sixth ATP 500 crown to his spectacular CV.

Carlos Alcaraz was unstoppable in Rotterdam 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/sjy00cYw6r

— Eurosport (@eurosport) February 9, 2025

The 21-year-old battled previous three difficult rivals and lifted a trophy, his first with a roof above his head. Carlos prevailed over Hubert Hurkacz within the semi-final and organized the title conflict with Alex de Minaur.

The Spaniard bested the Aussie 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in an hour and 54 minutes, taking the essential factors and shifting excessive. The Spaniard defended his second serve extra effectively and suffered two breaks. World no. 3 stepped in and dominated the ultimate set.

Carlos Alcaraz, Rotterdam 2025© Stream screenshot

He supplied 4 breaks and left because the final man standing. De Minaur fought nicely, erasing the deficit within the opening set and taking the second. He had the higher hand from the baseline however hit fewer service winners than the highest seed.

Alcaraz made an ideal begin. He produced a few snug holds and fired a forehand winner within the third recreation for a break at 15 and the benefit. Alex bounced again and made a push on the return at 3-4, incomes a break at love and returning to the optimistic facet.

Carlos Alcaraz, Rotterdam 2025© Stream screenshot

Carlos didn’t lose his focus. The Spaniard secured one other break in recreation 9 with a backhand down the road winner and constructed one other benefit. Alcaraz introduced the opening set residence with a service winner at 5-4, shifting nearer to the end line.

De Minaur raised his stage within the second set. The Aussie transformed the second break level within the second recreation after the Spaniard’s backhand mistake. Carlos performed in opposition to two extra break factors within the fourth recreation, defending them and staying in contact.

Alex landed a forehand winner within the seventh recreation, saving a break level and shifting 5-2 in entrance. The third seed held within the ninth recreation, closing the set in type and introducing a decider after an hour and 13 minutes.

Alcaraz left that a part of the match behind and began throughout within the closing set. The Spaniard squandered a break level within the second recreation and closed the fifth after a deuce for 3-2. Carlos cracked a backhand winner within the sixth recreation for break possibilities.

De Minaur missed a backhand on the primary, shedding serve and falling 4-2 behind. Alcaraz cemented the benefit with a service winner in recreation seven for 5-2. The Spaniard stepped in on the return in recreation eight and delivered a break that despatched him excessive.