Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the 2026 ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam following his physically demanding Australian Open campaign, tournament organisers confirmed on Monday.
The world No. 1 made the decision after winning his first Australian Open title, defeating Novak Djokovic 2–6, 6–2, 6–3, 7–5 in the final at Rod Laver Arena. The victory completed Alcaraz’s Career Grand Slam, making him the youngest player in Open Era history to achieve the feat at 22, while also equalling Bjorn Borg’s record for the youngest man to reach seven major titles.
In a statement, the Rotterdam Open said: “Carlos Alcaraz won’t defend his title in Rotterdam. The Australian Open champion concluded that after his exertions over the past two weeks, he needs more time to return to action.”
Alcaraz was the defending champion in Rotterdam, having beaten Alex de Minaur in last year’s final to claim his first indoor hard-court title and become the first Spanish winner in the event’s history.
The Spaniard has endured an intense start to the season, including an exhibition event in South Korea followed by nearly nine hours of tennis across the final two rounds in Melbourne. He has also been open about concerns over the congested ATP calendar and the importance of rest and recovery.
By skipping the ATP 500 event, Alcaraz will forfeit 500 ranking points but significantly reduce his risk of fatigue or injury ahead of major spring tournaments such as Indian Wells, the Italian Open, and the French Open. He is expected to return to competition later in February, potentially at the Qatar Open in Doha.
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Despite the withdrawal, the Rotterdam Open will still feature a strong field, led by Alexander Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alex de Minaur.
Reflecting on his Australian Open victory, Carlos Alcaraz said he wanted to take time to appreciate his achievements: “Sometimes you don’t stop yourself and think about what you’re doing. What I’ve learned is to enjoy and appreciate every single moment.”
