How Carlos Alcaraz set a staggering record with his Rotterdam Open triumph
Carlos Alcaraz’s victory at the 2025 Rotterdam Open saw him accomplish an incredible feat that reinforced his status as a generational talent.
The world No 3 earned a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 triumph over Alex de Minaur in the final of the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam.
Alcaraz‘s win brought him his 17th career title and, significantly, his first at an indoor tournament.
“I knew that I [could] play really good tennis on indoor courts, it was just about time,” the four-time major winner said.
“I had not too much experience playing on indoor courts. There are a lot of players who play better tennis on indoor courts than me, but I am improving and it’s a really important week.
“I’m just really happy to show the people that I can beat really good players on indoor courts as well. That helps a lot for my confidence.
“It’s special. Every tournament that you win is special, but this one is even more special because it’s on [an] indoor court — my first one.”
The Spanish star has now won titles on all four surfaces: clay, grass, outdoor hard-court and indoor hard-court.
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At the age of 21 years and nine months old, Alcaraz is the youngest man in history to secure titles on all of the surfaces currently used on the ATP Tour.
The Big Three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic all won tournaments on clay, outdoor hard and indoor hard before their first grass titles.
Roger Federer was around a month older than Alcaraz when he completed the set with his maiden win at the Halle Open in 2003.
Rafael Nadal achieved the feat shortly after his 22nd birthday by winning the 2008 Queen’s Club Championships.
Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, was 24 years and one month old when he claimed his first grass title at Wimbledon in 2011.
Alcaraz expressed confidence that he will become one of the best indoor players in the world after his Rotterdam win.
“I think it’s [a matter of] time that I’ll get into the top of the rankings of players on indoor court, I’m sure about it,” the
“I have to improve a few things that I was working on, the serve is one of them, I think everybody knows that. I’m not hiding the fact that the players who have big serves and big shots from the baseline are also dangerous but I think I will reach that level for sure.”
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