He took on World number 84 Botic van de Zandschulp, who beat Alcaraz at the 2024 US Open in straight sets.

The Dutchman was also the final opponent in the legendary career of Rafael Nadal, and Van de Zandschulp beat him 6-4, 6-4 at the Davis Cup.

Furthermore, Van de Zandschulp was playing in front of his home fans, so the odds were stacked against Alcaraz, but he certainly embraced the challenge.

Carlos Alcaraz explains why he was nervous in his first round match at the Rotterdam Open

Carlos Alcaraz was made to work for his opening round victory at the Rotterdam Open.

Sporting the same nose strip he wore at November’s ATP Finals, the 21-year-old edged the first set on a tiebreak, but Van de Zandschulp fought back.

He was able to level the match by taking the second set, but this only fuelled Alcaraz to raise his game.

The World number three stormed through the deciding set and recorded a 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-1 win in two hours and 33 minutes. Alcaraz overcame a tough opponent and explained why he felt nervous during the match.

“It was different, it’s totally different when you’re competing than in the practices,” the four-time Grand Slam champion said. “I started really nervous, I think it’s normal.

“The first match in every tournament is never easy. I just had to get used to my first match here in Rotterdam. You have to get used to playing with a full crowd, it’s totally different. I’m just happy to get used to it.”

Carlos Alcaraz avenges US Open defeat to Botic Van de Zandschulp in Rotterdam

Alcaraz won his Rotterdam Open debut and in the process gained some revenge on Van de Zandschulp. Alcaraz suffered a shock straight sets defeat when the pair met in the second round of the US Open.

Van de Zandschulp also helped knock Alcaraz and Spain out of the Davis Cup finals in front of their home fans. But Alcaraz returned the favour and beat Van de Zandschulp in home country, and he is pleased to be through to the next round.

“I think [there] were a lot of ups and downs in the match,” Alcaraz added. “Being set point down in the first set, I think Botic played a really solid match.

“Not too many ups and downs for him, really consistent throughout the match. I’m just really happy to get through.

“[I had to] be really focused in the tough moments, to keep pushing and trust the good tennis will come again. I’m happy to get through a difficult match and have a chance to get better in the next round.”

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