Alex de Minaur is finally a Rotterdam Open champion, having beaten Felix Auger-Aliassime earlier today in straight sets.
It marked the third straight final that the Australian had reached at this event, but his first actual triumph, having lost to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the past two years.
However, he was not to be denied today, putting in a ruthless showing against his hampered opponent.
Speaking after the match, he had some kind words for Felix Auger-Aliassime, who was sadly far from his best in the final.
Alex de Minaur reacts after winning the Rotterdam Open title
Handed a microphone after being presented with his trophy, Alex de Minaur went about going through the usual pleasantries associated with winning a final.
However, he began with Auger-Aliassime, who was quite visibly hampered throughout the match.
The Canadian routinely opted against running for shots, and also took a medical time-out during the second set.
De Minaur claimed: “I would like to start off with Felix to you and your whole team. I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect of how you go about everything you do. You’re an ultimate competitor, and I’m sure we’re going to have many more battles. So thank you.”
He then added: “To my team, to the people here, you know, third time lucky, we finally managed to get the title. To the people who are not here as well… It takes a village. But really, I’m glad I was finally able to get the title.
“It’s been one of my favourite spots on the calendar. I love coming back here in Rotterdam, I play some of my best tennis, and I finally get the reward too. Thank you very much to this amazing crowd, which makes it feel like home, so thank you.”
Also speaking courtside with Sky Sports Tennis straight after the win, he also gave his raw, instant reaction: “Yeah, I mean, third time lucky. I’m super stoked, super happy.
“Yeah, I mean, it ended up being a great week here in Rotterdam. It’s a place where I always feel really, really good and you know, I was just a step short last year, so it feels great to finally be able to lift the title.”
Auger-Aliassime revealed what his relationship with De Minaur was really like before the match, and this was evident in how they acted after this match.
Felix Auger-Aliassime’s runners-up speech after the Rotterdam Open final
Auger-Aliassime was also forced to give a runners-up speech, as is customary, yet his chat actually drew huge laughter from the crowd when he was interrupted mid-way through.
He began by claiming: “Obviously, we’ve played a lot of matches throughout the years, but, you know, I tried my best today, but you were just a little bit too good, so congrats to you and your team, you know, third time in the finals here, so congrats on the win.
“A quick word for my team as well, a reduced team, but all the team at home and my coach at home and, you know, my physio doing two roles today. Coach and physio. And my family as well. Thank you for everything. It’s been a good run.”
However, as he went to speak again, he was interrupted, with the organiser clearly keen to move on to De Minaur.
Auger-Aliassime laughed as he then said: “Oh, sorry, it’s all right. I won’t be long I promise I won’t be long. I think the match was short enough, so I can speak a little bit more!”
He concluded by thanking tournament director Richard Krajicek, just as De Minaur did, for putting on a great tournament.
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