Alex de Minaur has yet to win a Grand Slam in 33 attempts.
The Australian lost another two quarterfinals this year, falling to Jannik Sinner in Melbourne and Felix Auger-Aliassime in New York.
De Minaur led by a set to love in the US Open quarterfinal, coming as close as ever to reaching a Grand Slam semi.
Losing out, some fans are concerned that De Minaur may never make his long-awaited breakthrough at the major tournaments.
Weighing in on the debate, Australian tennis legend Todd Woodbridge discussed whether De Minaur could ever win a Grand Slam.
Todd Woodbridge believes Alex de Minaur ‘can win one’ Grand Slam
Appearing as a guest on the latest episode of ‘The Tennis‘, Woodbridge shared his assessment of the Australian number one and what he needs to change to challenge for Grand Slams.
“We’re talking about a player ranked six or seven…” he said.
2025 ATP year-end rankings
| Rank | Name | Country | Points |
| 1 | Carlos Alcaraz | Spain | 12,050 |
| 2 | Jannik Sinner | Italy | 11,500 |
| 3 | Alexander Zverev | Germany | 5,160 |
| 4 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia | 4,830 |
| 5 | Felix Auger-Aliassime | Canada | 4,245 |
| 6 | Taylor Fritz | USA | 4,135 |
| 7 | Alex de Minaur | Australia | 4,135 |
| 8 | Lorenzo Musetti | Italy | 4,040 |
| 9 | Ben Shelton | USA | 3,970 |
| 10 | Jack Draper | Great Britain | 2,990 |
“And so, we’re talking not even a percent, we’re talking 0.3% to make that happen.
“But there is that pace about serve, that’s the next level. But if you’ve watched Alex [de Minaur] this past 12 months, he knows the differences he needs to make.
“No one works harder, but there’s also an effort off the court to brand himself, to actually get people to understand who he is, because he’s quiet, he’s a worker, he’s a thinker, and when he loses, he’s hard on himself, but no one is going to do more than him.
“I’m watching him, step up in front of microphones, and he’s actually quite funny away from it. When the light goes on, he gets quieter.
“He’s trying to change that.”
Woodbridge believes that De Minaur changing his off-court personality may pay dividends in the latter stages of Grand Slams.
“I think changing that personality in front of the cameras will also help him on the court, it will make him more aggressive and believable in that space,” he said.
“Half of it comes down to aura when you walk out on the court, and the belief that you’re going to win, and the belief down the other end of the court that you’re going to be tough to beat.
Who has the ugliest game in tennis right now?
“Now, he has that at the bottom end of the rankings; people don’t think they can get a ball past him, his speed and all of that. But when he gets into the quarters, the semis, the finals of those majors, which we hope he gets to in 2026. He feels like he has to press too much, feels like he has to go harder.
“Where in actual fact, he just needs to play the same, but get first serve percentages up, and get a few more free points somehow, without letting the percentage come down.
“That’s what’s going to make the difference, and you’ve got to be there week in, week out at those majors, to get your breakthrough, to get to the semi.
“He had that chance once, US Open, but didn’t quite take it. He’s got to do it again, got to do it again, and then… You never know what might happen.
“Is he going to win 10?
“Probably not. But he can win one.”
Woodbridge compared De Minaur to several Australian tennis greats.
“There’s similarities to Lleyton [Hewitt], there’s similarities to Pat [Rafter],” he said.
“This is the point that I’m trying to make about him trying to be more of a sellable product.
“He wants people to believe and recognise him, and at the moment, we’ve still got that feeling that he goes a little under the radar.
“I’m here pitching him, because what he’s doing in the world of tennis is outrageously good.
“In Australia, we have this ‘Well, if you don’t win the major, you’re not making it.’ I talk to people, and they go ‘Do you think he’s going to get there?’, I’m going, he’s six and seven in the whole world!
“So, anyways, we’re talking 0.3, 0.2% for him to get to that next level, but no one will give it more effort than Alex de Minaur.”
What better place for De Minaur to take his game to the next level than at his home Australian Open…
Craig Tiley previews the 2026 Australian Open
Also appearing as a guest on ‘The Tennis’, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley, previewed the 2026 event.
“On the men’s side, is there going to be an Australian that makes the breakthrough?” he asked.
“Because Alex de Minaur has had a great year, he’s going to be the most prepared coming into the event.
“He’s got to stay healthy, which he will be, because he’s so fit, and he does such a great job with his preparation.
“Whether it will be Alex or Alexei [Popyrin] making a big breakthrough, and then they’ve got to try and knock off the two favorites in [Carlos] Alcaraz and [Jannik] Sinner.
Why do you think Carlos Alcaraz has struggled at the Australian Open in the past?
2021 Australian Open – 1R
2022 Australian Open – 3R
2024 Australian Open – QF
2025 Australian Open – QF
“Alcaraz hasn’t gotten very deep into the second week of this event yet, and of course, this is becoming Jannik’s home Slam.
“That’s going to be interesting, Jannik plays really well.”
Only time will tell who will emerge victorious in Melbourne, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action when the 2026 Australian Open begins on Sunday, January 18.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
