Carlos Alcaraz, fresh off his first Australian Open title, will not defend his championship at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam next week. The world No. 1 and reigning Rotterdam champion made the decision to withdraw after assessing his condition following two weeks of intense competition in Melbourne.
Alcaraz’s victory at the Australian Open marked a major milestone in his career. After defeating Novak Djokovic in the final to secure his seventh Grand Slam singles title and complete the career Grand Slam, the 22‑year‑old indicated he needed time to rest and recover before returning to the court.
In a statement confirming his withdrawal, tournament organisers said Alcaraz and his team agreed the exertions of recent weeks had taken a toll. They added that he would focus on regaining his strength ahead of upcoming events.
Alcaraz won the Rotterdam Open title last year, beating Alex de Minaur to claim his first indoor hard‑court trophy and become the first Spaniard to win the event’s 52‑year history.
With Alcaraz absent, the field for the ATP 500 event now features several top players including Alexander Zverev, Felix Auger‑Aliassime and Alex de Minaur.
