
Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 3, is facing a challenging start at the Rotterdam Open as he struggles with a cold. The 21-year-old Spaniard arrived in Rotterdam a few days before the tournament to acclimate to the indoor conditions. However, his preparations have been hampered by illness.
Despite the setback, Alcaraz remains optimistic about his chances in Rotterdam. He emphasized the importance of being mentally fresh and having the support of his family during this time.
During practice sessions, Alcaraz was seen wearing a nasal strip to help with his breathing. He mentioned that it helped him breathe much better and that he would consider using it more often in the future.
Alcaraz’s first match in Rotterdam will be against Botic van de Zandschulp, a player who previously defeated him in the past. He acknowledged the challenge of playing against van de Zandschulp but is looking forward to the match and the opportunity to compete in Rotterdam.
Despite the challenges, Alcaraz is determined to give his best performance and is looking forward to the opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd. He is prepared to face the crowd and is ready for the challenge.
Alcaraz’s resilience and positive attitude will be key as he navigates through the tournament and aims for his maiden indoor hard-court title in Rotterdam.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2025


Ranked world no.3, Carlos played his last match on the 21st of January when he lost to world no.6 Novak Djokovic 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 in the quarter of the Australian Open (draw).
Currently, during this season the Spaniard owns an overall 4-1 record.
He is also scheduled to play in Doha (Qatar ExxonMobil Open). The main draw will start on the 17th of February.