Alex De Minaur just can’t get the better of Jannik Sinner and he’s shared what he said to the Italian after his latest defeat.
The Australian star was speaking to BBC after the Rotterdam Open final.
So, what happened between De Minaur and Sinner yesterday – and what did the Aussie say to the Australian Open champion? Let’s take a closer look…
What Alex De Minaur said to Jannik Sinner after Rotterdam Open
Well, it’s hard not to have some sympathy for De Minaur and he just can’t come out on top over Sinner.
The man who won the first Grand Slam of the year – beating Novak Djokovic en route – edged out De Minaur 7-5, 6-4.
Sinner has now won 15 consecutive matches and he’s a player who is riding the crest of a wave at the moment.
De Minaur has now lost all seven matches against the player who he used to play doubles alongside.
After the match, he explained what he said to Sinner after the 22-year-old made it lucky number seven against his good friend.
He told BBC Sport: “I asked him jokingly if he’s going to lose a match this year. He’s playing at an incredible level and is just too good. I’ll get you back next time.”
The time will come for Australian player
It must be hard to watch Sinner dominating the game for De Minaur but in his good friend, he also has the perfect role model.
At 25-years-old the Australian does have time on his side and he can take a lot of heart from his run in Rotterdam.
On his way to the final, he defeated Alexander Rublev, David Goffin and Grigor Dimitrov.
The challenge for De Minaur is to improve his form at the Grand Slam events, with a quarter-final at the US Open his best finish.
Reaching the ATP Tour event finals will definitely help his confidence, however, and he should take a lot from the past seven days.
De Minaur is a good player and he will hope to use Sinner as a big influence in his quest to go better at the Grand Slams.
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