Former American ATP stars John Isner and Steve Johnson have discussed Carlos Alcaraz’s decision to play the 2025 Rotterdam Open.

Alcaraz chose to make his debut on the indoor hard courts of Rotterdam this year having competed at the ‘golden swing’ South American clay-court tournaments in previous seasons.

The 21-year-old, who is a 16-time tournament winner, is aiming to secure his maiden indoor title at the ATP 500 event. He will face Alex de Minaur in the final after defeating Botic van de Zandschulp, Andrea Vavassori, Pedro Martinez and Hubert Hurkacz.

The world No 3 sustained an ankle injury early in his opening round match at the 2024 Rio Open — his last appearance in South America.

In a conversation on the Nothing Major podcast, Johnson suggested Alcaraz’s scheduling change could be down to the experience of his injury in Brazil last year.

“He doesn’t pick a tournament because he’s gonna be better on one surface like most of us would pick in that scenario,” the former world No 21 said.

“He can win any tournament, any surface, any country, you name it. But maybe he has a little mental scar tissue, he did roll his ankle down in the golden swing last year.

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“So maybe that’s on his mind, he doesn’t wanna get hurt again which is, I would think, be a silly reason not to go, but for him, it just doesn’t matter.

“He has picked his schedule a year ago at this point while these tournaments are doing their appearance fees, planning their schedule, doing all their marketing and whatnot.

“So it’s not like he just chose to go to Rotterdam, I would say, like six weeks ago when the deadline came out. This was a process long before, I’m gonna say summer last year, US Open last year, where he decided to do this swing instead of the golden swing down in South America.

“But he has no issues whatsoever, he can pick whatever tournament, wherever in the world, and he is gonna be just fine.”

Isner argued Alcaraz is not a better player on clay courts compared to indoor hard.

“He can play on all surfaces, we know that. But I don’t think he’s better on clay than he is indoor hard. I think you’re splitting hairs if you’re saying one surface is better than the others,” the former world No 8 asserted.

“I like him staying in Europe, trying to pick up a 500 title, gain some momentum that way before coming over to the United States in Indian Wells.”

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