World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz won his first title on a indoor court on Sunday, beating Australian third seed Alex de Minaur 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in the Rotterdam Open final. His 17th ATP Tour career title made the 21-year-old Spaniard the youngest man to win titles on clay, grass, hard courts and indoors.
Alcaraz, who fought through a cold all week, showed grit to claim his first title since October in Beijing. He converted on De Minaur’s serve in the third game of the first set but then gave it back to even the score at 4-4. Unfazed, Alcaraz broke again to win the set, 6-4.
De Minaur hit back well in the second, speeding to a 3-0 lead and carrying his serve to take it into a decider. But Alcaraz seized command in the decisive set, breaking to lead 4-2 and wrapping up the win so quickly.
Reflecting on the victory, Alcaraz said, “It has been a really good week, coming here not feeling 100%. well with the cold, but every day I was feeling better. I want to thank my team for their support.”
The victory was Alcaraz’s tournament debut, marking him the first Rotterdam champion to accomplish the feat since Lleyton Hewitt in 2004.
