'Actions, not words’: Alex de Minaur is the champion

Without even realising it, Alex de Minaur, winner of the 2026 ABN AMRO Open at Rotterdam Ahoy, summed up his week in two quintessential Rotterdam sayings. As if it were meant to be.

"Third time’s the charm,” said the 26-year-old Australian after his commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory in the final over Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, following his defeats in the title match against Jannik Sinner (in 2024) and Carlos Alcaraz (in 2025). And, sounding almost like a Feyenoord supporter, he added: "My whole life has been about actions, not words. I’ve always kept fighting, and that gives me so much confidence. And now this is the result.”

The slender Australian made no attempt to hide his delight after his magnificent performance on the always-impressive, packed Centre Court. He was genuinely thrilled with the title in Rotterdam, and not just because of the €460,555 prize money and 500 ATP ranking points. Nor because he became the first Australian champion at the ABN AMRO Open since Lleyton Hewitt in 2004.

"I’ve finally won that title, yes, that was a big goal for me. I’m so proud of how strong I was mentally today. It was my best match of the week, earning me the first indoor title of my career. And at one of my favourite tournaments. Truly, the crowd here is incredible. I’m already looking forward to coming back next year,” said the world No. 8.

He continued: "Losing here in the final before, to Jannik and then Carlos wasn’t the worst thing that could happen to me. I told myself: just give yourself another chance. I had to be ready again here, also against Felix, one of the most dangerous opponents at an indoor tournament. And today, I was ready.”

Auger-Aliassime, by contrast, was struggling. The 26-year-old Canadian was no longer able to go all in at 100 percent physically, as the final marked the end of a two week long success run (having previously won the tournament in Montpellier). "My body was a bit stiff; I just didn’t have it today. But all credit to Alex. He’s such a tough opponent,” said Felix, still statistically the most successful indoor player of the decade on paper.

A notable detail: Auger-Aliassime played nine matches in two weeks, which also contributed to a special charitable effort. For every point he wins in a match, the Canadian donates five dollars to a fund that provides scholarships for children in Togo, his father’s country of birth. One of his private sponsors adds another fifteen dollars per point. Altogether, this initiative has already raised more than €500,000, helping over 500 children in Togo.

The thirty-nine points he won in the seventeen games played in the ABN AMRO Open final "only” raised €655.20, but still represents a meaningful contribution. Auger-Aliassime shared: "I usually only check two or three times a year how much I’ve donated, and then I also hear from the people in Togo about how things are going. But I already know for sure: the past two weeks have been more than successful in that sense as well, even if I lost today.”.