Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur has declared his intention to become a "disruptor" as he prepares to close the gap on the world's best, specifically targeting two-time defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner and top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz this summer.
The Quest for a Grand Slam Breakthrough
Ranked a career-high world No.7, de Minaur is yet to reach a grand slam semi-final despite six quarter-final appearances. The 26-year-old Sydneysider is desperate to change that record, especially on home soil at Melbourne Park next month. The biggest hurdles in his path are the European powerhouses, Alcaraz and Sinner, against whom he holds a combined 0-18 record on tour (0-5 vs Alcaraz, 0-13 vs 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. "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."
Building a Bigger, Stronger Game
De Minaur has used the off-season to address a key area of his game: power. Known for his exceptional speed and defensive skills, he acknowledges the need for greater physical strength to topple the elite. After feeling burnt out last season, he took a short break—about a week, his longest in six or seven years—to mentally refresh before a focused pre-season.
"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." His physical transformation has even drawn playful comments from his fiancée, British tennis star Katie Boulter, on social media.
To achieve this goal, de Minaur has retained most of his support team but brought on a new fitness trainer. He revealed his team has worked on specific elements during the off-season to help him take the next competitive step.
Ending the Australian Title Drought
This summer marks 50 years since an Australian man last won the Australian Open singles title, a drought dating back to Mark Edmondson's surprise victory in 1976. De Minaur feels the weight of that history and the desire of the home crowd.
"For myself and any of the Aussies competing, there's nothing we want to do more than play well at home and play well in front of our fans," de Minaur said. "It's no secret that this is a tournament I want to do well at and play my best tennis. I've been improving every year and I'm hoping that I'm going to have a great Aussie summer."
United Cup Preparation and Teaming with a Rising Star
De Minaur will fine-tune his preparations for the Open by representing Australia in the United Cup, starting on January 2. He will lead a team featuring Maya Joint, Jason Kubler, Maddison Inglis, Storm Hunter, and John-Patrick Smith.
He expressed particular excitement about partnering with 19-year-old Maya Joint, Australia's top-ranked female player who has soared to a career-high ranking of No.32. "She's a great person, she's playing some incredible tennis and I'm super excited to share the court with her," de Minaur said. "It's going to be a lot of fun and she's coming off her best year yet, and she's one to watch out for."
With renewed strength, a clear tactical plan to disrupt the game's best, and the motivation of a nation behind him, Alex de Minaur enters the Australian summer with his sights set firmly on a historic breakthrough.
