Australia's top-ranked tennis player, Alex de Minaur, is entering 2026 with a fresh perspective, having openly confronted the mental demons that plagued his 2025 campaign. The world No. 7 admits his trademark honesty became a source of public anguish during a season marked by painful collapses and emotional exhaustion.
Confronting the Demons of 2025
De Minaur describes himself as an open book, a trait he values for its role in self-improvement. However, that book made for difficult reading last year. The low points were stark and public. In May at Roland Garros, a shattered de Minaur capitulated from two sets up against Alexander Bublik, later confessing he felt burned out and disenchanted, needing to walk away from the sport.
The torment continued at the prestigious ATP Finals in Turin. There, a devastating loss to Lorenzo Musetti, snatched from the jaws of victory, prompted an anguished admission that repeated disappointments were leaving him "eaten alive" and "mentally killed." For fans of the relentless competitor nicknamed 'the Demon', it was worrying to witness.
A Renewed Mindset and Smile
Now, speaking at a year-end event in London, a noticeably upbeat de Minaur reflects on those trials with clarity. He acknowledges his perfectionism is a double-edged sword. "The reason I've been able to continuously improve is that I'm so critical and hard on myself," he stated. Yet, he recognises the need for balance, to appreciate his achievements, including a career-high year-end ranking of world No. 7.
His sole ATP title of 2025 came in Washington, a highlight in a year he now views as his best statistically, with the most match wins of his career. He was agonisingly close to a top-five finish, a fact he's learning to use as motivation rather than torment.
The 'A-Ha' Moment and Future Goals
A pivotal shift followed the Turin despair. Just two days later, de Minaur secured his first-ever victory at the season-ending championships, defeating Taylor Fritz. He calls this a significant "A-ha! moment," proving the power of focusing on his game style rather than the result. "It's amazing what can happen when you're going to stick to your guns," he reflected, marking it as a crucial mental breakthrough.
Looking ahead, de Minaur identifies a mindset shift as the key to unlocking the next level. He aims to worry less about outcomes and more about the process of playing his preferred aggressive tennis, especially in major matches. This, he believes, is the path to finally shattering the Grand Slam quarter-final barrier, having fallen at that stage six times previously.
Off the court, 2026 brings a life-changing event as he plans to marry British tennis star Katie Boulter. On it, the ambition burns brighter than ever. At 26, de Minaur remains convinced his peak is yet to come, combining his legendary speed and fitness with a newly fortified mental approach. He would "love nothing more" than that elusive major breakthrough happening at his home Grand Slam in Melbourne this January.
