Jimmy Connors says what he found very ‘surprising’ about Carlos Alcaraz’s win at the Rotterdam Open

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Carlos Alcaraz achieved a career-first at the Rotterdam Open ATP 500 event last week.

At 21 years-old, the Spaniard has proven himself to be one of the best players on the ATP Tour, winning several Grand Slam titles.

Alcaraz lost in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in January, as he failed to complete the Career Grand Slam, but made a successful return to the court last week.

Making his debut at the tournament, Alcaraz won the Rotterdam Open, taking down number three seed Alex de Minaur in the final, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

In doing so, Alcaraz achieved something he had yet to accomplish during his four-year professional career.

One American tennis legend has now commented on his accomplishment, explaining what surprised him.

Jimmy Connors was surprised to learn the Rotterdam Open was Carlos Alcaraz’s first indoor-hard court title

Speaking on his Advantage Connors podcast, former world number one Jimmy Connors gave his thoughts on Alcaraz’s Rotterdam win.

“It is surprising that is his first indoor win,” he said.

“He has the kind of game that I think travels and he’s proven that on all surfaces.

“But to go indoors when it really is perfect conditions and to not have to fight the elements and for that to be his first win is a little bit surprising.”

Before Rotterdam, Alcaraz hadn’t reached a final on indoor-hard, in part due to his scheduling decisions over recent years.

Alcaraz played the clay ‘golden swing’ events in 2022, 2023, and 2024, avoiding several indoor-hard tournaments such as Rotterdam.

The Spaniard has also struggled on his two appearances at the year-end ATP Finals on indoor hard courts, winning just three of his seven matches at the event.

Alcaraz will no doubt be hoping to qualify for Turin this year and pick up some more wins on the surface that has given him problems during the early stages of his career.

Connors then explained what he thinks Alcaraz’s Rotterdam opponent, De Minaur, needs to do to beat the very best players on the ATP Tour.

“[Alex] De Minaur seems to beat a lot of guys he is supposed to, but to beat an [Carlos] Alcaraz or [Novak] Djokovic or [Jannik] Sinner or [Alexander] Zverev, he has to red line to win,” he said.

De Minaur currently trails the combined head-to-head with Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic, and Zverev, 3-23.

The Aussie will be looking to improve his record against the top players in men’s tennis as he continues his charge towards the world’s top five.

Which surface has Carlos Alcaraz won the most titles on?

With his win over De Minaur in Rotterdam, Alcaraz has now won a title on every surface possible: outdoor hard, indoor hard, clay, and grass.

During his earlier seasons on tour, the Spaniard enjoyed particular success on clay courts, although his talents now shine all year round.

Alcaraz won his first ATP title on the Croatian clay four years ago, as he took down Richard Gasquet, 6-2, 6-2.

The teenager knocked out three seeds on his way to the title as he lifted the first of his eight clay court titles.

In both 2023 and 2024, Alcaraz won titles on hard, clay, and grass, showcasing his talents on all three surfaces.

Carlos Alcaraz’s 2023 ATP titles

• Argentina Open – Clay
• Indian Wells – Hard
• Barcelona Open – Clay
• Madrid Open – Clay
• Queen’s Club – Grass
• Wimbledon – Grass

Carlos Alcaraz’s 2024 ATP titles

• Indian Wells – Hard
• French Open – Clay
• Wimbledon – Grass
• China Open – Hard

Alcaraz will look to add another hard-court trophy to his collection when he heads to Doha for the Qatar Open, which begins on February 17.