Alex de Minaur has been in scintillating form at this year’s Australian Open, storming into the quarterfinals.
De Minaur now meets Carlos Alcaraz in his toughest test on paper thus far, particularly given his 0-5 head-to-head record with his ATP rival.
The Australian needs just one more win to secure his best-ever Grand Slam finish, having failed to reach the semifinals of any of the four major tournaments.
While world number one and top seed Alcaraz stands in his way, De Minaur should be boosted by heavy support from the home fans at the Australian Open.
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Alex de Minaur adores the fan support at the Australian Open
De Minaur has been reflecting on his tennis journey as the event progresses, telling Ralph Lauren exactly what it means to be taking on his home Grand Slam.
He commented: “The feeling I get walking onto the iconic blue courts, it is one of the best feelings in the world.
“I would tell my younger self to keep having that passion, keep enjoying every second. There’s going to be some ups, there’s going to be some downs, but if you keep that attitude, then good things will happen.
“Growing up between Australia and Spain helped me shape my game in many, many ways. Different cultures, different playing styles. I was able to kind of blend those two together to be the person that I am.
“Australian sports culture is iconic. The crowd support that you get as an Aussie Athlete is next to none. So I try to soak it all in, look around the crowd, and I just remember how fortunate I am. There’s nothing like going out there into the Australian Open. That’s all I’ve ever dreamt of.”
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Alex de Minaur among Australian players fans can be excited about
It really can’t be easy being under the spotlight in Melbourne, although De Minaur has handled the pressure well thus far.
But he certainly wasn’t carrying the burden alone in week one, with his compatriot Maddison Inglis having also impressed before her recent exit.
The qualifier knocked out fellow Australian Kimberly Birrell and Laura Siegemund before falling to six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in round four.
But she isn’t the only Australian WTA player to be excited about, with the likes of Taylah Preston, Emerson Jones and Maya Joint all heading for bright futures.
The trio are all aged 20 or under, as is Cruz Hewitt, the son of two-time Grand Slam champion and Australian legend Lleyton Hewitt.
Joint has really impressed De Minaur already, although it is the latter who is very much the in-form Australian player in world tennis right now.
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