What Forced Carlos Alcaraz to Wear a Black Nose Tape at ATP Rotterdam? Here’s What You Need to Know
Carlos Alcaraz’s Mysterious Black Nose Tape at ATP Rotterdam – What’s the Story?
If you’ve been following Carlos Alcaraz’s ATP Rotterdam campaign, you may have noticed a thin black strip on his nose. While the former World No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion secured a hard-fought first-round victory over Botic Van de Zandschulp (7-6(3), 3-6, 6-1), it was evident that he wasn’t at his best. Though he avenged his 2024 US Open second-round loss to the Dutchman, the battle wasn’t easy—partly due to the health struggles that forced him to wear the nasal strip.
So, what exactly happened to Alcaraz? Is he fully fit?
Alcaraz Reveals the Reason Behind His Black Nose Tape
In a pre-match interview at ATP Rotterdam, Alcaraz opened up about his health struggles, as reported by Eurosport on February 5.
“I spent a few days at home after Australia, but I got a cold,” he revealed.
For those unaware, Alcaraz’s Australian Open campaign ended last month in a quarterfinal loss to Novak Djokovic. Despite leading the first set, he failed to maintain momentum and eventually lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. The loss was devastating for the 21-year-old, and as if the disappointment wasn’t enough, his health took a hit soon after.
“I was struggling a little bit at home. I could only train for two days, and then I had to rest until the cold got better,” Alcaraz added.
As a result, he turned to nasal strips in Rotterdam to combat breathing difficulties.
Why Is Carlos Alcaraz Wearing a Nasal Strip?
According to the Sleep Foundation, nasal strips are adhesive bands that widen the nostrils and improve airflow, reducing air resistance in the nasal passages. Essentially, they help athletes breathe better, especially when dealing with congestion or respiratory issues.
This isn’t the first time Alcaraz has relied on nasal strips—he faced similar issues at the ATP Finals last season.
Alcaraz’s Breathing Struggles at the ATP Finals in Turin
During the ATP Finals in November 2024, Alcaraz was spotted wearing a pink nasal strip while competing in Turin. Having traveled extensively across tournaments, he arrived already under the weather.
His struggles were evident in his opening match against Casper Ruud, where he had difficulty breathing and ultimately lost. His tournament campaign ended in the group stage, following another defeat against Alexander Zverev.
The only bright spot in his ATP Finals run came against Andrey Rublev, where he secured a 6-3, 7-6(8) victory. Ahead of that match, his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero had revealed:
“As soon as he moves a bit, he finds it hard to breathe. He has tightness in his chest. A bad time to fall ill.”
Despite his condition, Alcaraz credited the nasal strip for aiding his performance.
“For me, it helped a lot today. I could breathe much better. I tried to forget that I’m not feeling well and deliver really good tennis,” he said in a post-match conference.
What’s Next for Alcaraz at ATP Rotterdam?
As he continues to recover, Alcaraz’s next challenge at ATP Rotterdam will be Andrea Vavassori, who advanced after Félix Auger-Aliassime withdrew due to a toe injury.
With Alcaraz still battling his cold, fans are left wondering:
- Will his health improve in time?
- Can he make a deep run in Rotterdam despite his struggles?
Share your thoughts in the comments!
