The Australian No.1, who apparently had been feeling a bit under the weather all week at the Dutch event, still stretched the world No.3 in Sunday's showdown before succumbing 6-4 3-6 6-2.
It was the second successive year 'Demon' had been beaten in the indoor hard-court final, having been defeated in 2024 by the sport's other young rocket man, Jannik Sinner.
While Alcaraz celebrated his first ever triumph in an indoor event, de Minaur could only reflect on falling short once again in his bid to become the first and only Australian to win the prestigious tournament since Lleyton Hewitt's lone victory in 2004.
De Minaur will rise from No.8 to an equal career-best world ranking of No.6 after his week's exploits, but he will be frustrated again in the knowledge that, for a sixth time, he had missed out in his bid to defeat one of the game's elite in a tournament final.Â
In his previous finals against top-tenners - Sinner, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alcaraz, Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev - he had also come off second-best.
And though de Minaur has won nine titles in all, defeating one of the big boys in a high-category ATP 500 tournament final is an accolade that keeps eluding him.Â
De Minaur couldn't hide his disappointment at the victory presentation as he told the packed Rotterdam Ahoy Arena: "We're pushing for bigger and better things. It's been a lot of improvements in my game over the last couple years, and I'm going to keep on pushing for more.Â
What a fighter this guy is 🥊🔥@alexdeminaur is hitting through Alcaraz!@abnamroopen | #abnamroopen pic.twitter.com/MBKDsBoFeq— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 9, 2025
"It's been two years now with this runner-up trophy - I'm hoping I'll get my hand on the winner's one day."
He had high praise for his conqueror, though, as he turned to Alcaraz and told him he had been "too good" again.
How good the 21-year-old will become remains a tantalising prospect but this was another landmark day for Alcaraz as he clutched a 17th ATP trophy after becoming the youngest man in history to win a title on clay, grass, hard court, and indoor hard court.
Alcaraz, under-the-weather like his opponent, revealed he had not been feeling well over the week, having to wear a nasal strip while struggling with a cold.
Carlos' INCREDIBLE touchdown 😮�💨�@carlosalcaraz captures his first ever indoor title! @abnamroopen | #abnamroopen pic.twitter.com/GN0zuH5T1p— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 9, 2025
And though they had a rare old tussle over the first two sets, with de Minaur hardly taking a backward step as he attacked Alcaraz's second serve and went for broke with his shot-making to level the match at one-set all, there was a sense of inevitability about the Spanish prodigy raising his game in the decider.
Alcaraz had beaten the Aussie in their two previous meetings, including the 2023 Queen's Club final, and earned the key break for 4-2 in the third set as the Wimbledon and French Open champ's weight of shot finally began to take its toll.
