Alex de Minaur, the No. 9 seed, kicked off his French Open 2025 campaign with a hard-fought 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(6) victory over Serbia’s Laslo Djere on Court 14 on May 27, marking his 27th win of the season. The Australian’s resilience shone in a nearly three-hour battle, saving four set points in a dramatic third-set tiebreak to extend his perfect 4-0 head-to-head record against Djere. Despite a concerning post-match limp that sparked fan worry, de Minaur’s performance, coupled with his humorous apology for a foot close-up during a medical timeout, underscored his growing clay-court prowess and fighting spirit, aligning with the French Open’s themes of perseverance seen in Iga Swiatek’s rout of Emma Raducanu and Novak Djokovic’s roof dispute.
Match Breakdown
De Minaur took control early, winning the first set 6-3 with precise serving, converting 74% of first-serve points. The second set, secured 6-4, showcased his ability to counter Djere’s aggressive clay-court style, a two-time Roland Garros third-rounder. The third set tested his mettle as Djere surged to a 5-2 lead, holding two set points at 5-4 and two more in the tiebreak at 6-4. De Minaur’s mental toughness prevailed, rallying to win 8-6 in the tiebreak after 2 hours and 38 minutes, despite 44 unforced errors. “I’m always going to fight for every single point,” he told Eurosport, a mindset fans on X (@MSports_all: “Demon’s heart is unreal!”) celebrated.
Health Concerns and Foot Apology
A post-match image of de Minaur limping, shared on X (@TennisFanatic: “De Minaur visibly limping—hope it’s okay”), raised concerns about a possible hip or foot issue, echoing his 2024 Wimbledon withdrawal due to a hip injury. During a medical timeout after the second set, he re-taped his toes to prevent rubbing, prompting a broadcast close-up he jokingly apologized for: “Oh, jeez. I’m sorry for everyone who had to see that. That’s not a pretty sight.” He clarified it was routine, not an injury, but the limp fueled fan anxiety.
Clay-Court Evolution and Goals
De Minaur’s 27th win of 2025, bolstered by a 9-4 clay record and a 2024 Roland Garros quarterfinal, reflects his transformation on the surface. In his press conference, he outlined his goal to improve his topspin forehand, inspired by Carlos Alcaraz, saying, “If I could steal a shot, it’d be Alcaraz’s forehand… I need that spin on clay.” His 0-4 record against Alcaraz, including a 2025 Barcelona loss, underscores this need. Facing Alexander Bublik next, whom he called “dangerous,” de Minaur aims to sustain his fight.
French Open Context
De Minaur’s fiancée, Katie Boulter, also advanced, defeating Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 7-5, marking a strong start for the couple. Their mutual support, seen in Madrid, mirrors the French Open’s resilience narratives, including Swiatek’s 6-2, 6-1 win over Raducanu, Daniil Medvedev’s rant after losing to Cameron Norrie, and Djokovic’s roof controversy. Like Jack Grealish’s transfer saga, de Minaur’s performance under physical scrutiny resonates, with his humility—akin to Raducanu’s AirPods anecdote—endearing him to fans.
Conclusion
Alex de Minaur’s 27th win of 2025, a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(6) triumph over Laslo Djere at Roland Garros, highlighted his clay-court growth and relentless fight. Despite a worrying limp and a foot-taping apology, his ambition to adopt Alcaraz’s forehand and face Bublik next positions him for a potential breakout. De Minaur’s grit, echoing Boulter’s win and the French Open’s perseverance themes, cements his top-10 status, though fans remain cautious about his health.
