Alex de Minaur, Australia’s top tennis player nicknamed “Demon,” has withdrawn from the 2025 French Open due to a hip injury, as previously noted, but earlier comments about being “burnt mentally” reveal the psychological toll of his 2025 season, which could impact his recovery and future Grand Slam ambitions. In an April 30, 2025, interview with Tennis.com.au, de Minaur admitted to mental exhaustion following a grueling Monte Carlo semifinal loss to Lorenzo Musetti (1-6, 6-4, 7-6(4)), where he led 5-2 in the third set but faltered in a tiebreak. “I was burnt mentally after Monte Carlo,” he said. “It took a lot out of me, but I’m learning to reset quickly.” Despite this, he bounced back with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Tomás Martín Etcheverry in Barcelona, showing resilience but acknowledging the need for mental recovery.
De Minaur’s 2025 clay season was a breakthrough, with a 15-5 record, including a Monte Carlo semifinal—where he crushed Grigor Dimitrov 6-0, 6-0—and quarterfinals in Barcelona and Rome, per ATPTour.com. His 2024 Roland Garros quarterfinal, defeating Daniil Medvedev 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-3, marked his best clay Major result, yet the mental strain of high-stakes matches and constant travel lingered. The hip injury, first sustained at Wimbledon 2024 and worsened in practice before Roland Garros, forced his withdrawal, announced May 22, 2025, via The Sydney Morning Herald. “I’m shattered,” he said, noting the physical setback compounded his mental fatigue.
The mental battle de Minaur faces is significant. In Madrid, he spoke of adapting to clay’s demands, saying, “It’s about staying mentally strong, varying shots, and finding balance,” per Yahoo News. His 80% clay win rate in 2025 (Tennis Abstract) reflects progress, but losses to top players like Jannik Sinner (1-11 head-to-head) and Carlos Alcaraz (0-3) highlight the psychological edge he needs. Posts on X, like @TennisAus, praised his clay evolution but noted fan concerns about burnout, with one user writing, “Demon needs a break to recharge mentally.” As he rehabilitates in Sydney, targeting Wimbledon, de Minaur’s ability to overcome mental fatigue, alongside physical recovery, will be crucial for his Grand Slam pursuit, with his next chance likely at the 2025 US Open.
