Rafael Nadal and Boris Becker react after Carlos Alcaraz beats Alex de Minaur in Rotterdam Open final

Carlos Alcaraz is off to winning ways in 2025, with the world number three having beaten Alex de Minaur in the Rotterdam Open final.

Alcaraz clinched his first indoor title with the victory in the Netherlands, with the top seed overcoming third seed De Minaur 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

De Minaur was praised by Alcaraz after the final, having also lost the 2024 Rotterdam Open final to Jannik Sinner.

World number one Sinner withdrew from this year’s tournament, which arrived on the back of his successful Australian Open run.

De Minaur has climbed two places into sixth in the world rankings following his final defeat, with Alcaraz remaining in third.

Rafael Nadal congratulates Carlos Alcaraz on Rotterdam Open title

The Spaniard will be delighted with another success, and indeed delighted to be returning to winning ways so early in the season.

And his latest triumph has caught the eye of his compatriot and legend Rafael Nadal, who was among those reacting to Alcaraz emoji post on X after the win.

Alcaraz also shared a winning post on Instagram, saying: “It means so much to me to win in Rotterdam! It has been a very special week!

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“Thank you for the support from day one! Congratulations Alex de Minaur for the tournament and a tremendous battle today in the final!”

READ MORE: Alex de Minaur issues hilarious social media response to Katie Boulter after Madison Keys and Belinda Bencic titles

And among those commenting once more was Nadal, whose Spanish message of “Enhorabuena” translates into English as “congratulations”.

Boris Becker reacts as Carlos Alcaraz makes tennis history at Rotterdam Open

Alcaraz became the first Spanish player to win the Rotterdam Open, but has also now managed to win a title on every single surface.

At 21, turning 22 in early May, he has become the youngest man to achieve that feat, with Boris Becker left really impressed as he wrote “Word” on X.

Alcaraz is now a 17-time ATP Tour champion, having had to battle past the likes of home favourite Botic van de Zandschulp and eighth seed Hubert Hurkacz for the trophy.

He is now already 9-1 for the 2025 season, with his only loss coming to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarter-finals.

READ MORE: Caroline Wozniacki and Boris Becker react after Belinda Bencic wins Abu Dhabi Open final against Ashlyn Krueger

Just like 2024, it seems for all the world that the Spaniard will be battling it out with Sinner for the top prizes on the ATP Tour.

It was the Italian who outshone Alcaraz last time out, clinching eight titles compared to four, although they did share the Grand Slams with two each.

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