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Alex de Minaur so impressed by ‘unbelievable’ Laver Cup teammate who played ‘incredible tennis’ at the tournament

Alex de Minaur looks on at Wimbledon 2025, inset mystery player
Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images
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Alex de Minaur had a Laver Cup to remember as the Australian helped Team World defeat Team Europe.

De Minaur experienced a disappointing Davis Cup with Australia earlier this month, with his side falling in the qualifiers second round.

But he was able to bounce back at the Laver Cup, where Team World secured a 15-9 victory over Team Europe.

And De Minaur was one of the standout players, having finished his week in San Francisco with seven points won and zero lost.

He defeated Alexander Zverev and Jakub Mensik in singles, and partnered with Alex Michelsen in doubles to defeat Casper Ruud and Holger Rune.

Team World Captain Andre Agassi talks with Alex De Minaur of Team World in his match against Alexander Zverev of Team Europe during day two of Laver Cup 2025 at Chase Center.
Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images for Laver Cup

Alex de Minaur really impressed by ‘unbelievable’ Laver Cup teammate

De Minaur has now praised his doubles partner upon the conclusion of the event, having been left really impressed by the young American.

Asked what he thinks about Michelsen becoming the doubles specialist, De Minaur replied: “Michel has been unbelievable. Every match he’s stepped out.

READ MORE: Alexander Zverev calls for change in tennis as he makes point about Alex de Minaur and Holger Rune ‘totally agrees’

“It’s a very big stage, and he’s gone out there and had a swing. He’s brought the energy, the intensity. He’s had that belief from the first point to the last. I thought he’s played some incredible tennis.

“You know, just to be put in that position where ultimately we’re kind of saying he’s the doubles specialist of the team, right, so there’s a lot of pressure on him every time he steps out on court.

“He’s delivered every time. So it’s been great to share the court with him and see him go out there and enjoy himself as well.”

Team World Vice Captain Patrick Rafter, Jenson Brooksby of Team World, Taylor Fritz of Team World, Francisco Cerundolo of Team World, and Joao Fonseca of Team World celebrate after Alex De Minaur of Team World and Alex Michelsen of Team World defeated Casper Ruud of Team Europe and Holger Rune of Team Europe in a doubles match during day two of Laver Cup 2025 at Chase Center.
Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Laver Cup

Alex de Minaur shares how Laver Cup coaching differs from regular ATP Tour events

Michelsen was also among the players impressing in San Francisco, although he did end the competition with a 1-3 record.

Still, the American played a key role under captain Andre Agassi, who has replaced John McEnroe in the role for Team World.

Agassi was vocal with De Minaur, who has also now shared how different the coaching situation is at the Laver Cup compared to a regular ATP event.

He said: “Well, there’s a couple of layers to this answer, but I’m going to start with the fact that you’ve got someone sitting on a bench with you in the changeovers.

“Not only that, you’ve also got your whole team, all giving you different bits of advice. Plus, when you are playing on tour, you’re lucky if you hear something from your coach, because at times it’s so loud in the stadium.

“You’re so far away. Lots of the time you don’t hear too much. The majority is words of encouragement, right? There’s no real kind of coaching that you can get or you can understand at the tour.

“So this has been quite cool to be able to engage in conversations, and just even today, like, at times I was able to let them know what was going through my head, what I was feeling on the court, ask them how it looked off the court, whether I should keep on going for a certain place, if I should try to mix it up, what they kind of thought.

“It was great to kind of get that type of reinforcement that ultimately I should just continue to back myself in the big moments.

“I think that was crucial to get out of, yeah, those tough moments even at the end, even when I went Love-40 down, and he came up with a couple of good passes. I just was in a very calm state of mind.

“I just relaxed. I picked up the ball, bounced the ball, worried about the next point, and 40-All backed myself again and went out with a play that was so beneficial for me throughout the whole match.

“There again, gave me another crucial point and gave me the match point. Yeah, it’s been an amazing experience, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.”

A regular ATP event is now next up in the schedule, with a handful of Laver Cup stars taking on the Japan Open.

Team Europe ace Carlos Alcaraz is the top seed in Tokyo, where the likes of Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud are also involved.

But De Minaur and many other high-profile figures are instead playing at the China Open, where Jannik Sinner headlines.