Alex de Minaur’s Determination
It’s challenging to find anyone in tennis as hardworking as Alex de Minaur. This Australian player is set to bear his nation’s hopes next month as he aims to become the first home-grown champion of the men’s Australian Open title in 50 years. At age 26, he stands out for his unmatched speed on the court and incredible dedication off it. This strong work ethic has led him to achieve 10 titles and finish 2025 as the world’s No. 7, a career-high ranking, alongside winning the esteemed Newcombe medal for the fourth time.
Challenges in Grand Slams
However, success at the highest level in tennis is primarily measured by performances in grand slams, where De Minaur has yet to make a significant impact. He has reached the quarter-finals of major tournaments six times, five of which occurred in the last eight tournaments. With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner dominating the last eight majors, opportunities are limited.
The Weight of Expectations
The pressure to secure a major title at home is immense. Nevertheless, age brings a sense of clarity. Andy Murray lost his first four grand slam finals and faced a painful defeat to Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2012. It was only after accepting that he may never win a slam that Murray found the freedom to excel, resulting in an Olympic victory shortly afterward and three slam titles thereafter.
Diving into De Minaur’s Mindset
While De Minaur may not fully mirror Murray’s journey, his thought process is akin. “That is the narrative; it’s never good enough, right?” he reflects. For De Minaur, this serves as motivation. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on what he can control, such as improving his skills and maintaining a positive attitude, while also reminding himself of his accomplishments. It’s essential to celebrate the small victories and to be kinder to oneself, he adds.
A Pivotal Moment in Turin
A transformative moment for De Minaur occurred last month at the ATP Finals in Turin. Following a close loss to Lorenzo Musetti, he acknowledged the mental toll of narrowly missing victories against top players. Yet, just two days later, he turned it around, delivering one of his best performances of the year against Taylor Fritz and advancing to the semi-finals. Despite falling to Sinner, he emerged from the event with a renewed perspective.
Emphasizing the Process
“You live and die by the results, but the best way to perform is to not place too much importance on them,” he states. “I’ve been working on reducing the pressure I place on myself, knowing that when I do, I can showcase my best tennis. Focusing on the journey and adhering to my game plan is crucial, even if the results don’t favor me.”
Preparations for Australia
De Minaur is already in his pre-season training after enjoying a week and a half off. Recently, he secured $964,000 for winning the UTS exhibition event in London for the second consecutive year. He plans to spend Christmas with his family in Spain before heading to Australia after Boxing Day. “It’s about preparing for Australia and ensuring I’m ready while being cautious of burnout,” he concludes. “Ideally, I want to play less, but that will depend on my results.”
