Australia's top-ranked men's tennis player, Alex de Minaur, will sport a new look for the upcoming home summer after parting ways with his long-term kit supplier.
End of an Era with Asics
De Minaur announced the conclusion of his 11-year partnership with Asics via a collaborative Instagram post with the brand. The post featured two photos, one from his early career and a recent action shot, accompanied by a message of gratitude. "Eleven years by your side. Grateful for every step, every memory. Proud to have supported you in your journey to the top," the caption read.
A Full Switch to Wilson
Reports now indicate that the world No.7 will make a full-brand switch to Wilson. While de Minaur already uses Wilson racquets, he is now set to wear their on-court clothing as well. This move is notable; although many pros use Wilson racquets, very few on the ATP or WTA tours also wear the brand's apparel. Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, ranked 26th, became the first player to sign a comprehensive head-to-toe deal with the American company in 2023.
Home Goals and New Weapons
The switch comes as de Minaur intensifies his preparations for the Australian Open. His summer campaign begins on Saturday, representing Australia in the United Cup where he will face world No.12 Casper Ruud in a tie against Norway.
The six-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist, who has never reached a major semi-final, has expressed a burning desire to break through on home soil. A significant part of that ambition involves solving the puzzle posed by the tour's young heavyweights. De Minaur holds an 0-5 record against Carlos Alcaraz and an 0-13 record against Jannik Sinner.
"I've played some very close matches over the years with both of them and you feel like you're getting closer and closer," de Minaur told reporters in Sydney recently. "You've got to work on your game, find new weapons. For me, it's finding different ways to hurt these players and trying to be ready to take more risks and be a little bit more of a disruptor."
He revealed his team has worked on specific adjustments during the off-season to help him take the next step.
Building a Stronger Foundation
While keeping most of his support team intact, de Minaur has hired a new fitness trainer with a clear physical objective. "I'm ultimately trying to get bigger and stronger and just keep on improving," he stated. "Over the years I've gained a little bit of weight, which has definitely helped me. There's no substitute for hard work, so that's what we'll be doing."
With a new apparel partner and a refined physical and tactical approach, Alex de Minaur enters the Australian tennis summer with renewed focus, aiming to transform his consistent performances into a landmark deep run at his home Grand Slam.
