Inspired by social media backlash, Alex de Minaur is setting his sights on taking down more high-profile players after defeating Alexander Zverev and securing a place among the top players in the tennis world just before the start of the Australian Open.
The top-ranked Australian player will enter his home Grand Slam with heightened excitement, having achieved a Top 10 ranking for the first time in his professional career. He secured this accomplishment by defeating Zverev 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 at the United Cup in Sydney.
Although Australia did not win their match against Germany, De Minaur has been performing well and is on a winning streak leading up to the tournament in Melbourne next week.
On Saturday, he achieved his second victory against Olympic champion Zverev, marking a significant week in his career. This came after the 24-year-old defeated Novak Djokovic for the first time.
Despite not being the biggest or strongest player in the game, De Minaur will still turn to online supporters for motivation as he strives to make a strong showing in Melbourne.
De Minaur expressed that his confidence was boosted after his first match and he was able to perform at a higher level. He also mentioned that having these matches before the Australian Open is beneficial. De Minaur described the experience as incredibly special and something he will always hold dear.
“I am aware of all the possible obstacles that may prevent me from succeeding on social media, or hinder my growth and progress. However, I choose to use them as fuel for my motivation. Ultimately, it is my determination that has led me to where I am, and I strive to achieve my highest potential.”
Even though he lost on Saturday, Zverev still holds a 6-2 advantage in matches against De Minaur. However, the German, who is ranked No. 6 in the world, cautioned his fellow players that De Minaur has become a formidable opponent since their last encounter nearly 18 months ago.
“I believe that was the strongest performance I have seen from Alex against me,” Zverev stated. “He is currently in exceptional shape…his forehand, typically a weaker shot, was not.”
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I was particularly taken aback by the speed of his second serve, which ranged from 160kmh to 165kmh. This was unexpected as his second serve has traditionally been a weak point. However, he played exceptionally well and even defeated Novak in straight sets. Today, he beat me as well and it is clear that he is currently in excellent form and poses a significant threat.
De Minaur said he felt that too. His run at the United Cup, which also included a win over American Taylor Fritz, gave him the belief that victories over the likes of Djokovic and Zverev could become a regular occurrence.
De Minaur stated that the recent week has greatly improved his performance against top-10 opponents. He demonstrated his ability to achieve this in two different locations and is pleased with his progress in 2024, hoping to continue on this trajectory.
