Alex de Minaur, the world No. 8 Australian, left the tennis world in awe with a breathtaking defensive point during his third-round match against Frances Tiafoe at the 2025 National Bank Open in Toronto on August 2, 2025, hailed as the “point of the year” by fans and media. At 4-4, 40-40 in the third set of a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory, De Minaur chased down a barrage of Tiafoe’s aggressive shots, including a cross-court forehand, a drop shot, and a lob, before flicking a backhand winner past Tiafoe’s outstretched arm. The point, described as “insane” and “out of this world” by X users like @TennisProTrader and @TheTennisLetter, showcased De Minaur’s freakish athleticism and speed, earning widespread acclaim.
Post-match, De Minaur told Weese Sports, “I don’t know how I got that ball back, honestly. My legs were screaming, but I just kept running and somehow made it happen.” The point, shared widely on X with clips garnering thousands of views, prompted @NewmarkTennis to call De Minaur “one of the most dangerous movers the game’s ever seen.” Tennis Canada’s official broadcast labeled it “potentially the point of the tournament,” amplifying the sentiment that De Minaur’s defensive wizardry was unmatched.
This moment capped a stellar week for De Minaur, fresh off his 10th ATP title at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open, where he saved three championship points to defeat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. His Toronto run, including wins over Francisco Comesaña and Tiafoe, has boosted his live ATP ranking to No. 8, closing in on Novak Djokovic’s No. 6 spot (4,130 points vs. De Minaur’s 3,335). The point, reminiscent of his 2025 Australian Open break against Francisco Cerundolo, where he celebrated with a LeBron James-inspired “Silencer” move, underscores his flair for clutch moments.
As De Minaur advances to face Christopher O’Connell in the Toronto quarterfinals, his new Wilson Ultra v5 racket and relentless court coverage position him as a US Open threat. Fans on X, like @LockrightPK, exclaimed, “How on earth did he win that point at 4-4 40-40????” reflecting the tennis world’s gobsmacked reaction to a moment that could define his 2025 season.
