Alex de Minaur: Australia’s hope for ending Grand Slam drought

Alex de Minaur, currently ranked world No. 8, is set to lead Australia’s charge at the 2025 Australian Open. The 25-year-old is determined to become the first Australian man to win the tournament since 1976.

Reflecting on his 2024 season, de Minaur described it as his “best season” but emphasized his desire for more. He reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open, and achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 6.

De Minaur has fully recovered from a hip injury that affected his performance last year. He stated, “I can finally say that I’m feeling 100% and the injury is something from the past.

Embracing the home crowd’s support, de Minaur said, “Whenever I get on the flight here to Australia, I’m just genuinely excited because I get to come back home and play in front of amazing fans.

His first-round match is against Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp. De Minaur is maintaining a focused approach, stating, “Now it’s about locking in and getting ready for a battle.

With his improved physical condition and the advantage of playing on home soil, de Minaur is optimistic about his chances. He expressed his ambition, saying, “There’s nothing I would rather do more than to play well here and go deep and have that shot at the title.