Alex de Minaur’s Heartbreaking Withdrawal from 2025 French Open: A Blow to Australia’s Historic Contingent
In a devastating blow to Australian tennis, Alex de Minaur, the nation’s top-ranked player and world No. 8, has withdrawn from the 2025 French Open due to a persistent hip injury, as announced by The Sydney Morning Herald on May 22, 2025. The 26-year-old, affectionately known as “Demon,” was poised to lead Australia’s largest Roland Garros contingent in 35 years, with 16 players in the main draw, a milestone not achieved since 1990. His absence, just days before the tournament’s start on May 25, 2025, leaves a void in the men’s field and dims hopes for a deep run following his career-best quarterfinal appearance in 2024.
Injury Forces Withdrawal
De Minaur’s withdrawal stems from a hip injury initially sustained during Wimbledon 2024, which flared up again during a practice session in Paris. The injury had already disrupted his 2025 season, limiting his Australian Open campaign to a quarterfinal loss to Jannik Sinner (6-3, 6-7, 6-3). In a statement, de Minaur expressed his heartbreak, saying, “I’m shattered to miss Roland Garros. My hip isn’t right, and I need to prioritize recovery.” His team confirmed he is returning to Sydney for rehabilitation, with Wimbledon as the next target, though no specific timeline was provided.
Missed Opportunity in Paris
The world No. 8, with 3,635 ranking points per Sofascore, was drawn to face American Christopher Eubanks in the first round, with a potential quarterfinal clash against top seed Jannik Sinner looming. His 2024 Roland Garros performance, where he upset world No. 5 Daniil Medvedev 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 to become the first Australian man in 20 years to reach the quarterfinals, had raised expectations. De Minaur’s clay evolution—marked by a 15-5 record in 2025, including a Monte Carlo semifinal where he crushed Grigor Dimitrov 6-0, 6-0, and quarterfinals in Barcelona and Rome—positioned him as a genuine contender. His aggressive tactics, refined net play, and 80% clay win rate (per Tennis Abstract) showcased a transformation from his earlier struggles on the surface.
Impact on Australia’s Contingent
De Minaur’s absence opens opportunities for players like Eubanks and 24th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in his section of the draw. However, it shifts the burden to Australia’s remaining players, with Jordan Thompson (No. 38) and Aleksandar Vukic (No. 78) now leading the men’s charge, alongside women’s players like Daria Saville, who faces Madison Keys after qualifying, and Ajla Tomljanovic, set to play Maya Joint. The historic 16-player contingent, bolstered by Saville’s gritty 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 qualifying win over Taylor Townsend and Joint’s WTA final in Morocco, remains a point of pride, as noted by Yahoo News Australia.
Fan and Community Reaction
Fans on X expressed profound disappointment, with @TennisAus calling it a “huge loss for Demon and Aussie tennis,” while @lildarkcage praised the contingent’s depth, urging Thompson and others to “step up.” De Minaur’s withdrawal compounds a challenging year for Australian men’s tennis, with no top-10 players in the draw following his exit. His earlier comments about mental fatigue—“I was burnt mentally after Monte Carlo,” per Tennis.com.au—hint at the toll of his 2025 schedule, which included nine ATP singles titles and a 2024 ATP Finals qualification, the first for an Australian since Lleyton Hewitt in 2004.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setback, de Minaur’s ambition remains undeterred. In an April 30, 2025, interview, he declared his intent to be a “menace” on clay, saying, “I’m not here to make up numbers. I’m here to go deep.” His 2024 season, with titles in Acapulco and ‘s-Hertogenbosch, and a No. 8 ranking, keeps him on the cusp of history, potentially joining Hewitt and Pat Rafter in the top five if he surpasses Novak Djokovic’s 4,130 points. As he focuses on recovery, de Minaur’s battle cry for his compatriots—“We can all do damage,” per Yahoo News Australia—echoes, with the Aussie contingent determined to honor his spirit in Paris.
