Novak Djokovic exhibits class, commends Carlos Alcaraz’s Rotterdam glory

Carlos Alcaraz lifted his seventeenth ATP trophy in Rotterdam. The 21-year-old celebrated his first indoor laborious trophy, finishing the gathering after incomes titles on all 4 surfaces. Novak Djokovic, who respects Carlos rather a lot, congratulated the younger gun on his newest success.

The 2 rivals battled within the Australian Open quarter-final, with the veteran prevailing in 4 units after practically three hours and 40 minutes. Djokovic and Alcaraz might meet once more subsequent week on the ATP 500 occasion in Doha.

After an exciting win over Jannik Sinner in Beijing final yr, Alcaraz claimed one other ATP 500 crown in Rotterdam, turning into the primary Spaniard to have fun on the prestigious indoor occasion. Many questioned the Spaniard’s sport on an indoor floor.

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

— Eurosport (@eurosport) February 9, 2025

He battled previous a few difficult rivals and lifted a trophy, his first in over 4 months. Carlos battled previous Hubert Hurkacz within the semi-final and organized the title conflict with Alex de Minaur. They battled for an hour and 54 minutes.

The Spaniard bested the Aussie 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to raise a trophy and conquer his sixth ATP 500 title at 21. Alcaraz gained solely 4 factors greater than de Minaur. He performed higher behind the second serve and obtained damaged two occasions.

Carlos Alcaraz, Rotterdam 2025© Stream screesnhot

Alex misplaced serve 4 occasions, shedding floor within the decider and ending runner-up for the second straight yr in Rotterdam. Carlos hit extra service winners, whereas the third seed lowered the hole from the baseline. All of it got here right down to the ultimate set, the place Alcaraz outplayed fellow top-10 rival.

World no. 3 made a flying begin and solid a wholesome benefit. He landed a forehand winner within the third sport of the encounter for a break at 15 and an early lead. The Spaniard offered two superb holds and solid a 4-2 benefit.

Carlos Alcaraz, Rotterdam 2025© Stream screenshot

The Aussie recovered his sport after that break he suffered, making a push on the return in sport eight. The third seed secured a break at love, locking the end result at 4-4 and returning to the constructive facet. Alcaraz left that setback behind and made a push on the return in sport 9.

The younger gun fired a backhand down the road winner to clinch a break and transfer 5-4 in entrance. Carlos served for the opener at 5-4 and landed a service winner to wrap up the primary a part of the duel. De Minaur stepped in on the return within the second sport of the second set.

He seized the second break probability to maneuver in entrance and achieve confidence. The Spaniard confronted two extra break factors within the fourth sport that would have despatched him additional behind. The highest seed saved them and remained inside one break deficit.

Alex denied a break level within the seventh sport with a forehand winner and closed the sport for 5-2. The Aussie delivered a superb maintain at 5-3 and launched a decider after an hour and 13 minutes. Like a real champion, Alcaraz began from the start and overpowered his rival.

He missed a break probability within the second sport and held in sport 5 after a deuce for 3-2. Carlos hit a backhand down the road return winner within the sixth sport and created two break possibilities. He welcomed the rival’s mistake on the primary and opened a 4-2 hole.

The Spaniard held in sport seven with a service winner and stepped in on the return at 5-2. Carlos created two match factors and transformed the second, lifting his seventeenth ATP trophy at 21.