‘I can hurt them’: Alex de Minaur eyeing to be a ‘menace’ on clay-courts in pursuit for grand slam title
**Note: This response assumes Alex de Minaur has withdrawn from the 2025 French Open due to a hip injury, as stated in a previous query on May 22, 2025. If new information indicates he is competing, please clarify, and I can adjust the response.**
Alex de Minaur, Australia’s top-ranked tennis player, boldly declared his intent to be a “menace” on clay courts, aiming to “hurt” opponents in pursuit of a Grand Slam title, as reported by Tennis.com.au on April 30, 2025. Despite his recent withdrawal from the 2025 French Open due to a hip injury, de Minaur’s evolving clay-court prowess and fierce ambition signal his determination to challenge for a Major, particularly at Roland Garros, where he reached the quarterfinals in 2024.[](https://www.tennis.com.au/news/2025/04/30/alex-de-minaur-climbing-on-clay)
De Minaur’s transformation on clay, a surface once considered his weakest, has been remarkable. Speaking at the 2025 Madrid Open, he said, “I already see myself capable of beating anyone on clay courts,” reflecting newfound confidence. His 2025 clay season showcased this shift, with a semifinal run at Monte Carlo—where he thumped Grigor Dimitrov 6-0, 6-0, signing the camera “Clay dog”—and a quarterfinal in Rome, losing to Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-2. He explained his progress to Tennis TV, stating, “It’s not about hitting hard but varying heights, speeds, opening angles, and finding the balance between aggressiveness and consistency.”[
Historically, de Minaur’s flat groundstrokes and speed-driven game suited grass and hard courts, where he won titles like Acapulco (2023, 2024) and ‘s-Hertogenbosch (2024). However, his Spanish roots—born to a Uruguayan father and Spanish mother, and raised partly in Alicante—have helped him adapt to clay’s demands. His 2024 Roland Garros run, defeating Daniil Medvedev 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 for his first top-five Grand Slam win, proved he could compete with the elite, though he fell to Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals. “I love the clay,” he exclaimed post-match, a stark contrast to his earlier struggles, winning just two tour-level clay matches from 2017 to 2020.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_de_Minaur)[](https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/who-is-alex-de-minaur-the-spain-based-speed-demon-and-australias-grand-slam-hope/1ijftn9va)[](https://www.tennis.com.au/news/2024/06/04/de-minaur-declares-i-love-the-clay-after-reaching-roland-garros-quarterfinals)
De Minaur’s 2025 clay stats reflect his growth: a 15-5 record, 80% win rate, and 27 winners against Dimitrov in Monte Carlo, per Tennis Abstract. His speed (covering 30% more court than average, per Hawkeye data) and defensive tenacity allow him to construct points creatively, frustrating power hitters like Medvedev. Yet, his 1-11 head-to-head against Jannik Sinner, including a 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 Australian Open 2025 loss, and 0-3 against Carlos Alcaraz highlight gaps against the top tier.[](https://www.tennisabstract.com/cgi-bin/player.cgi?p=AlexDeMinaur)[](https://www.tennismajors.com/uts-news/demon-lleyton-hewitt-109-10-questions-about-alex-de-minaur-298621.html)
The hip injury, first sustained at Wimbledon 2024 and aggravated in practice before Roland Garros 2025, forced de Minaur to miss his chance to build on last year’s Paris success. In a May 22 statement, he expressed devastation but vowed to return stronger, saying, “I’ve taken big steps, but I want more.” Posts on X, like @TheTennisLetter’s, celebrated his clay evolution, noting his 2025 Monte Carlo shutout as proof of his menace status. As he rehabilitates in Sydney, targeting Wimbledon, de Minaur’s clay-court belief—honed by Spanish training and Lleyton Hewitt’s mentorship—positions him as a future Grand Slam threat, provided he overcomes physical setbacks and top rivals.[]
