Carlos Alcaraz has signed up for a new tournament in 2025 (Image: Getty)
has rejigged his schedule for 2025, signing up for a tournament that previously rejected him in favour of .
The world No. 3 will head the ATP 500 in Rotterdam for the first time in February, having previously chosen to enter the Rio Open instead.
It comes four years after the tournament director the draw instead – a decision the boss was made to regret until now.
The four-time Major winner has often reserved February for playing on clay courts in South America. But he will switch things up next year as he has entered the field for the Rotterdam Open, taking place from February 1 to 9.
It’s the perfect opportunity for the 21-year-old to get more experience on indoor hard courts, where he has typically struggled compared to the other surfaces.
The decision will also make tournament director Richard Krajicek very happy after he prevented a teenage Alcaraz from playing in 2021.
“I am happy that Carlos has chosen to travel to Europe this time after the Australian Open,” Krajicek said after the world No. 3 committed to the event.
Carlos Alcaraz has typically played the Rio Open in February (Image: Getty)
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“As a young player he was given the opportunity on the clay in Rio. A surface that many Spanish players grow up with. With titles at , US Open and Roland Garros, he has now shown that he is one of the best players on all types of surfaces.
“Alcaraz has been high on our wish list for a while. With four titles to his name at the age of 21, he is one of the most spectacular talents ever. It’s about time he comes to the ABN AMRO Open.”
The Spaniard’s trip to Rotterdam is four years overdue. Back in 2021, when he was a 17-year-old ranked outside of the world’s top 100, his management asked for a wildcard into the ATP 500 event.
However, the request was denied so the tournament could give Murray a pass into the main draw instead. Krajicek was quickly left kicking himself after making the decision.
By the end of 2021, Alcaraz had reached a career-high of No. 32, made it to the second week of the US Open and won his maiden title in Umag. In 2022, he became the youngest world No. 1 in ATP history, reaching the top of the rankings after winning the US Open.
Ahead of the 2024 edition of the Rotterdam Open, the tournament boss shared his regrets. “Sometimes things go well, sometimes things go against you,” he told Langs de Lijn En Omstreken.
“In 2021, Alcaraz asked for a wildcard to play in Rotterdam. I preferred to give that to . You don’t want that to happen again, to say ‘no’ to tomorrow’s No. 1.”
Alcaraz isn’t the only top player to commit to the ATP 500 event for 2025. , and are also set to compete in Rotterdam.