lex de Minaur, the No. 9 seed, joined his fiancée Katie Boulter in advancing at the French Open 2025 with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(6) victory over Laslo Djere on May 27, but a concerning image of him limping post-match alarmed fans. Social media posts on X highlighted de Minaur “visibly limping” after the nearly three-hour match on Court 14, with some speculating about a possible hip or foot issue, though no official injury was confirmed. De Minaur’s lighthearted apology for a foot close-up during a medical timeout—re-taping his toes to prevent rubbing—downplayed any serious concern, but the limp revived memories of his 2024 Wimbledon withdrawal due to a hip injury. Boulter, ranked No. 23, also won her opener, defeating Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 7-5, marking a strong start for the engaged couple. Their resilience, amid fan worries, aligns with the French Open’s themes of perseverance, seen in Emma Raducanu and Novak Djokovic.
Match and Injury Context
De Minaur’s win, his 27th of 2025, showcased his clay-court growth, saving four set points in a tense third-set tiebreak against Djere. His 74% first-serve points won and mental fortitude were key, despite 44 unforced errors. The limp, noted by fans on X (@MSports_all: “De Minaur’s limp is worrying—hope it’s nothing”), echoed concerns from his 2024 Wimbledon quarterfinal, where he “jarred” his hip and couldn’t walk freely after beating Arthur Fils. That injury forced him to withdraw against Djokovic, and fans fear a recurrence could jeopardize his Roland Garros campaign, where he faces Alexander Bublik next. De Minaur’s press conference comments about wanting Carlos Alcaraz’s forehand for clay suggest focus on improvement, but he didn’t address the limp directly.
Boulter’s victory, her first at Roland Garros since 2022, came despite her historical clay struggles. Her presence in Madrid to support de Minaur, post her own loss to Jasmine Paolini, highlights their mutual support, though her foot injury earlier in 2025 (sidelining her for Doha and Dubai) adds context to fan sensitivity about de Minaur’s condition. Their engagement, announced in December 2024, and playful banter—like Boulter’s “red flag” jab during a Madrid blackout—endear them to fans, amplifying concern over de Minaur’s health.
French Open Narratives
The image of de Minaur limping ties into the French Open’s themes of resilience and scrutiny, seen in Daniil Medvedev’s rant after losing to Cameron Norrie, Alexander Zverev’s line-calling controversy, and Raducanu’s £98,000 payday despite health issues. Like Jack Grealish’s transfer saga, de Minaur faces pressure to perform while managing physical concerns, with fans on X (@AussieTennisFan: “Demon needs to rest that hip!”) urging caution. His 9-4 clay record in 2025 and 2024 Roland Garros quarterfinal fuel hopes for a deep run, but the limp casts a shadow.
Conclusion
Alex de Minaur’s limping image after his French Open 2025 win over Djere, coupled with his foot-taping apology, has sparked fan concern, amplified on X, about a possible hip or foot issue. Joining fiancée Katie Boulter, who also won her opener, de Minaur’s resilience shines, but the limp recalls his 2024 Wimbledon injury. As he prepares for Bublik, his health remains a focal point, mirroring the French Open’s narratives of perseverance, from Djokovic’s grit to Medvedev’s outburst, with fans hoping he avoids another setback.
