ATP Rotterdam 2026 Preview: Open Field as De Minaur, Medvedev Lead Title Charge

site-editor
By Site Editor
09 Feb 2026
Share
Site Editor 09 Feb 2026
Share this article
Or copy link
Copy
  • Key players absent create an open field at ATP Rotterdam 2026
  • Medium-speed indoor courts favor strong serving and aggressive play
  • Potential breakthrough for players like de Minaur, Medvedev, and Auger-Aliassime
ATP Rotterdam
Alex De Minaur and Carlos Alcaraz during Day Seven of the ABN AMRO Open at Rotterdam Ahoy on February 9, 2025. (credit: Getty)

The first ATP 500 event of the season takes place in Rotterdam, where the ABN AMRO Open once again headlines the early indoor swing. Played at Rotterdam Ahoy on indoor hard courts, the conditions are medium to medium-fast rather than lightning quick. The surface still rewards first-strike tennis, but there is enough time in rallies for strong baseline players to settle into patterns and construct points.

This year’s field looks unusually open for a tournament of this level. World No.1 and No.2 are both absent, with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner not competing. Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev are also skipping the event, while Taylor Fritz has chosen to play in Dallas this week. The result is a clear shortage of top-tier names, which opens the door for players ranked just outside the very top tier to step forward and target a major indoor title.


Rotterdam has long been a stop where elite champions build momentum early in the season. From Arthur Ashe winning the inaugural edition in 1972 to more recent winners such as Federer, Sinner and Alcaraz, the event carries real prestige on the indoor calendar. With so many leading names missing this time, the 2026 edition shapes as a rare opportunity for players sitting around the edge of the top ten and beyond to seize a big title and valuable ranking points.


With the top names absent and conditions that reward clean indoor tennis, Rotterdam could become one of the most open ATP 500 events of the early season.

Tournament Details

Format 
  • Category: ATP 500 
  • Surface: Indoor Hard 
  • Draw Size: 32 Singles / 16 Doubles 
  • Venue: Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Schedule (2026 Edition) 
  • Qualifying: Saturday and Sunday 
  • Main Draw: Monday to Sunday 
  • Final: Sunday 
  • Start Times: Day sessions typically begin around 11:00 AM local time, with evening sessions from 7:30 PM

Rotterdam has been part of the ATP Tour since 1990 and regularly draws some of the strongest crowds for an indoor event. More than 120,000 fans attended the 2018 edition when Roger Federer returned, underlining the tournament’s reputation as one of the most respected ATP 500 stops in Europe.

Playing Conditions & Court Speed

Rotterdam is played indoors at Ahoy on medium-speed hard courts that reward first-strike tennis. With no wind or weather variables, conditions remain stable across the week and place emphasis on serve quality, timing, and clean ball-striking from the baseline.

Court Speed and Pace
The courts are rated around 0.78 for pace, a touch slower than Basel or Vienna but still quick enough to favour aggressive servers and big hitters. Hold percentages are typically high, with many matches shaped by first-serve effectiveness and the ability to take control early in rallies rather than extended defensive exchanges.

Bounce and Grip 
The indoor surface provides a consistent medium to medium-high bounce with reliable grip. Players can step into the court and strike through the ball without major variation from session to session, which helps flat hitters and strong first-ball attackers build rhythm quickly.

Player Insights 
Alex de Minaur has described Rotterdam as “fast enough” to reward proactive tennis, while Carlos Alcaraz has previously pointed to the clean indoor conditions and energetic crowd as factors that raise the intensity level. Players who serve well and play on the front foot tend to feel comfortable here.

Recent Champions in Rotterdam

Rotterdam has consistently produced strong indoor champions, with many finals featuring top-10 players and high-quality baseline tennis. The event often rewards players who combine elite serving with aggressive return positioning, and recent editions have produced a mix of dominant straight-set wins and tight three-set battles.

YearChampionRunner-upScore
2025Carlos AlcarazAlex de Minaur6-4, 3-6, 6-2
2024Jannik SinnerAlex de Minaur7-5, 6-4
2023Daniil MedvedevJannik Sinner5-7, 6-2, 6-2
2022Félix Auger-AliassimeStefanos Tsitsipas6-4, 6-2
2021Andrey RublevMárton Fucsovics7-6(4), 6-4
2020Gaël MonfilsFélix Auger-Aliassime6-2, 6-4
2019Gaël MonfilsStan Wawrinka6-3, 1-6, 6-2
2018Roger FedererGrigor Dimitrov6-2, 6-2
2017Jo-Wilfried TsongaDavid Goffin4-6, 6-4, 6-1

Top Seeds in Rotterdam

With Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz absent from this year’s field, the draw has opened up significantly for the chasing pack. That has allowed players just outside the very top tier to headline an ATP 500 event in Rotterdam, with several top-10 regulars now carrying the top seeding burden and a real opportunity to collect major points early in the season.

SeedPlayerCurrent Rank
1Alex de Minaur6
2Félix Auger-Aliassime8
3Alexander Bublik10
4Daniil Medvedev11
5Karen Khachanov18
6Cameron Norrie26
7Tallon Griekspoor29
8Arthur Rinderknech31

Players to Watch

Alex de Minaur ★★★★★ 
De Minaur has quietly built a very strong record in Rotterdam and continues to thrive on indoor hard courts despite not relying on huge power. He has finished runner-up in the last two editions, losing to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and with both of those names absent this week, the path looks far more open. His movement, consistency, and competitive intensity make him a natural fit for these conditions, and this could finally be the year he converts deep runs into the title.

Daniil Medvedev ★★★★☆ 
A former champion in Rotterdam, Medvedev remains one of the most reliable hard-court performers on tour. He already has a title this season after winning in Brisbane and continues to play with his usual discipline and tactical clarity from the baseline. If he responds well after the Australian Open setback, his indoor pedigree and ability to control rallies make him a strong contender to go deep again.

Félix Auger-Aliassime ★★★☆☆ 
Few players have been as consistently effective indoors in recent years as Auger-Aliassime. He arrives in Rotterdam shortly after lifting the title in Montpellier, which underlines his confidence and form on this surface. The quality is unquestionable, but the main question will be physical freshness after a busy stretch. If he manages the workload well, he has the level to challenge for another indoor trophy.

Alexander Bublik ★★☆☆☆ 
Bublik remains one of the most dangerous players on indoor hard courts when locked in. His serve and shot-making can overwhelm opponents, and he has shown more consistency over the past year while collecting titles and strong results. The key variable is always focus and motivation, but if he finds rhythm early in the week, he has the firepower to trouble any player in this field.

How to Watch ATP Rotterdam 2026 Live (Free)

No cable? No problem. All you need is a betting account and a screen. ATP Rotterdam is streamed live in HD by top bookmakers — no extra subscription needed.

🎬 Quick Setup in 30 Seconds: 
1️⃣ Sign up at [bet365] or [Stake] 
2️⃣ Deposit $1 or equivalent (no need to place a bet right away) 
3️⃣ Go to Live Tennis → ATP Rotterdam → Hit “Watch Live” 
That’s it. You’re watching Main Court live from anywhere. 

ATP Rotterdam Live Streams

  • Time
  • Sport
  • Event
  • Live

Verdict

Alex de Minaur and Daniil Medvedev stand out as the strongest outright title contenders this week. De Minaur’s back-to-back runner-up finishes in Rotterdam and Medvedev’s proven indoor pedigree and recent title-winning form make both reliable picks to lift the trophy. 

Félix Auger-Aliassime, arriving after another indoor title, and Alexander Bublik, whose serve and shot-making can dominate in these conditions, look well placed to make deep runs if they manage consistency and physical demands across the week.

Best Bet1: Alex de Minaur Tournament Winner @350.00 at Stake.com - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Daniil Medvedev Tournament Winner @450.00 at Stake.com - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Alexander Bublik Tournament Winner @1900.0 at Stake.com - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Felix Auger-Aliassime Tournament Winner @550.00 at Stake.com - 1 Unit
Alex de Minaur
Tournament Winner
@350.00 - 3 Units
25 SC no deposit & 250,000 GC
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Get 25 Stake Cash & 250,000 Gold Coins when you sign up with code NEWBONUS at Stake.us. USA only. Excludes certain States including NY,NV,ID, KY,WA. 18+ only. Terms and Conditions apply.

Bet at Stake.com
Daniil Medvedev
Tournament Winner
@450.00 - 2 Units
25 SC no deposit & 250,000 GC
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Get 25 Stake Cash & 250,000 Gold Coins when you sign up with code NEWBONUS at Stake.us. USA only. Excludes certain States including NY,NV,ID, KY,WA. 18+ only. Terms and Conditions apply.

Bet at Stake.com
Alexander Bublik
Tournament Winner
@1900.0 - 1 Unit
25 SC no deposit & 250,000 GC
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Get 25 Stake Cash & 250,000 Gold Coins when you sign up with code NEWBONUS at Stake.us. USA only. Excludes certain States including NY,NV,ID, KY,WA. 18+ only. Terms and Conditions apply.

Bet at Stake.com
Felix Auger-Aliassime
Tournament Winner
@550.00 - 1 Unit
25 SC no deposit & 250,000 GC
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Get 25 Stake Cash & 250,000 Gold Coins when you sign up with code NEWBONUS at Stake.us. USA only. Excludes certain States including NY,NV,ID, KY,WA. 18+ only. Terms and Conditions apply.

Bet at Stake.com

See also

Latest tips Starts in

Latest News

Seeall
  • 18 Logo
  • Game Care Logo
 bonus image
tennis-streams ® Newcopyrite Gamcare #Ads © 2026 tennis-streams.com