Alex de Minaur had a remarkable 2025, starting the year by reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, his home tournament, and reaching two ATP finals, including the victory at the Washington Open, a 500-level tournament, in July. Now, the Australian tennis player is aiming for an even more successful 2026.After winning the UTS Grand Final for the third time in December, De Minaur started the new season as part of the Australian team at the United Cup. There, he had the opportunity to play in front of his audience and represent his country, leading the team to the quarterfinals and achieving a victory over Hubert Hurkacz of Poland, the eventual champion.
The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, represents a mix of excitement and pressure for all players, especially for the Australians. Hoping to break the drought of men’s titles in the tournament since 1976, De Minaur, the highest-ranked Australian player and sixth seed, faces a challenging path.
Originally, he was expected to face Matteo Berrettini in the first round, but the Italian’s withdrawal changed the landscape. Now, he will face Mackenzie McDonald and, potentially, Frances Tiafoe in the third round. If he advances, Alexander Bublik could be his opponent in the round of 16, and Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. “Basically, I’ll have to give it my all from the start,” De Minaur commented on his path in the tournament.
Despite the pressure, De Minaur feels excited about the Australian Open and confident in his chances against Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Preparation and Reflections
In an interview, De Minaur shared details about his preparation and expectations for the 2026 season. After a longer-than-usual rest period, the tennis player focused on recharging his energy and mentally preparing for the new year.
“I had a week and a half off, which is much more than I’ve had in the last four or five years, but I didn’t really go anywhere. I just spent some time with my family and friends [in Spain and his base in Monaco] and that was it, to be honest.”
Alex de Minaur
Reflecting on the 2025 season, De Minaur highlighted the positives and his personal growth. He expressed pride in how he handled difficult moments and in having his best year to date in terms of wins and ranking.
The support of Australian fans is a key factor for De Minaur, who values the energy and support he receives. “Australian fans are very patriotic. They are full of energy. They support their players and are the best kind of fan,” he stated.
De Minaur also highlighted the importance of experience at the Australian Open, a tournament he considers special for playing at home and representing his country. “It’s one of the most important tournaments of the year for me. I want to do well there. It’s my home Grand Slam,” he said.
Despite the pressure, De Minaur has learned to manage it and turn it into excitement. “I am genuinely excited to play in Australia, so, the way my mind works, instead of thinking about the pressure or the expectation, I simply use it as excitement,” he explained.Regarding his goals for 2026, De Minaur aims to surpass the results of the previous year. “I hope for something better. Hopefully, but it’s difficult. Ideally, I don’t measure success by results, but I’d be lying if I said I don’t want to go further this coming year,” he stated.
De Minaur also shared his memories of iconic moments from the Australian Open, including memorable matches of Lleyton Hewitt and epic finals of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
The Australian tennis player recalled his first ATP title in Sydney in 2019 as a very special moment. Currently, De Minaur faces the challenge of competing against Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who have set a high standard in world tennis.
Challenges and Support
De Minaur acknowledges that Alcaraz and Sinner are playing at a very high level, but is determined to find a way to compete and improve. “We are going to do everything possible to try to compete with them, match them and, ultimately, make their lives as difficult as possible,” he stated.
The tennis player also highlighted the support of his fiancée, Katie Boulter, who helps him both on and off the court. “It’s great to have someone by your side who is in the same world as you, who understands the good times, the difficult times and everything else, and who supports you,” he said.
De Minaur also enjoys his participation in the ATP social videos, where he shows his personality off the court. “I like that they show my personality off the court. I think people think I’m very serious because of what they see on the tennis court, but it’s a fun way for me to show how I really am off the court. Ultimately, I’m pretty relaxed, pretty calm, a bit of a silly guy,” he explained.
In the video, De Minaur was recognized as “Best Actor”.
