Carlos Alcaraz made a winning debut in Rotterdam. The Spaniard faced the home star Botic van de Zandschulp in the first round and scored a 7-6, 3-6, 6-1 victory in two hours and 34 minutes. Carlos trailed 5-3 in the first set and denied a set point on the return at 4-5.

No. 1 seed Carlos Alcaraz of Spain was pushed to three sets before finishing off Dutch wild card Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-1 in the first round of the ABN AMRO Open on Tuesday in Rotterdam,

Recently, Italian legend Adriano Panatta took a shot at Alcaraz for the way he lost to Djokovic in Melbourne: “Mentally Djokovic crushes anyone, the other one took the bait with all his boots. Novak is a great champion, phenomenal, nice or unpleasant, it’s subjective.

Carlos Alcaraz has missed training and began wearing a nasal strip as he battles a cold before the Rotterdam Open.

Carlos Alcaraz has provided a significant health update a few days before his Rotterdam Open debut. Some reporters at the press conference questioned his form for the Rotterdam event recently, after healing from an illness that had impeded his event preparation.

Alcaraz will have extra motivation to start the tournament in high gear and try to win his first title in 2025. The last time the Spaniard lifted a trophy was in October 2024, when he won the Beijing ATP 500.

The first ATP 500 of 2025 is being played this week in Rotterdam, with a very strong field headed by Carlos Alcaraz and featuring lots of top players and indoor specialists.

Carlos Alcaraz has given an update on his physical health after suffering from an illness in the build up to his debut at the Rotterdam Open. The 21-year-old will play world No 84 Botic van de Zandschulp in his first match at the ATP 500 tournament on Tuesday.