Alex de Minaur is Australia’s best tennis player and just 19 years old. The youngster explains how this milestone feels in his still young career.
Alex de Minaur started the year on position 208 of the ATP world rankings. It was no secret that the 19-year-old has a great talent for the yellow felt ball. In only one year, de Minaur was in a position he had never dreamed of.
“I did not believe that it was possible to start the year like this and stand where I am now. I’m still a little impressed by this situation,” de Minaur told the New York Times. 33rd place in the ATP ranking is now behind the name of the 19-year-old, who is currently Australia’s best tennis player.
Behind de Minaur his compatriots Nick Kyrgios, meanwhile number 13 in the world, and John Millman have to join the line. But de Minaur doesn’t want to compare himself with his popular colleague Kyrgios: “Nick has incredible power on the court. I’m not the strongest guy on the tour, I have to score with other aspects in my game. If you don’t grow up to be the biggest player in the group, you have to help yourself differently.”
A big plus in the Australian’s game is the speed. Colleagues like to call the 19-year-old the “fastest player of all”. These statements come from Alexander Zverev and Co. – and these are not unfounded. De Minaur gives only a few balls lost and is quick on his feet. To play a stop that the world rankings-33. cannot run through, must be played extremely well.
This attribute also helps de Minaur to a great defensive game, reminiscent of endurance runner David Ferrer. De Minaur doesn’t beat many winners, but he hardly makes any mistakes and follows every ball.
de Minaur scored points for the best ranking in his still young career at his home tournament in Sydney and Washington, DC. Both times the NextGen star was in the final, but had to be patient with his first ATP title.
However, the top placement also brings unpleasant situations with it, as de Minaur explains: “An important point is that you have to isolate yourself next to the court. You don’t have much free time – tennis is 24/7 in my head. If you have the opportunity, you have to take time for yourself, that’s very important. But it’s also extremely difficult.”
De Minaur’s rising popularity factor is mainly due to the 19-year-old’s appearances in the Davis Cup. For Australia he put the year over great performances on the court and played himself into the hearts of the Australian fans.