Carlos Alcaraz didn’t perform at his best, but still managed to defeat Botic van de Zandschulp at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam on Tuesday. The four-time Grand Slam champion won 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-1, avenging his surprising loss to the Dutch wildcard at last year’s US Open. This was Alcaraz’s first match since his three-set loss to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarter-finals on January 21, and also his first indoor match of 2025. He wore black tape across the bridge of his nose, a similar tape he previously used in pink at the ATP Finals last year.
Alcaraz had struggled with nasal congestion and breathing issues during the ATP Finals, and it seems those symptoms resurfaced, suggesting he might be dealing with a cold. He mentioned before the match, “I spent a few days at home after Australia, but I got a cold. I was struggling a bit at home, only training for two days before I had to rest until I felt better. But being at home with my family helped me feel fresh mentally and ready to travel again.”
The tape, likely nasal strips, is designed to widen the nostrils and improve airflow, aiding in easier breathing, as explained by the Sleep Foundation. Alcaraz will face either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Andrea Vavassori in the next round and expressed relief at overcoming the tough challenge against world No. 84 van de Zandschulp. He said, “Being set point down in the first set, Botic played a solid match. He was very consistent. I’m happy to get through and have a chance to improve in the next round.”