What Alex de Minaur said during his US Open run now looks ridiculous after he makes Laver Cup decision
Alex de Minaur, Australia’s world No. 8 tennis star, has found himself at the center of criticism after committing to the 2025 Laver Cup in San Francisco (September 19-21), a decision that contradicts his vocal complaints about the ATP Tour’s overcrowded calendar during his recent US Open run. The Australian, who reached the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows before falling to Felix Auger-Aliassime, had led the charge for reforms to the tennis schedule, citing fatigue and the need for more recovery time. However, his last-minute addition to Team World—replacing Frances Tiafoe—has been labeled “ridiculous” and “hypocritical” by fans and pundits, highlighting the irony of adding yet another event to an already packed itinerary.
De Minaur’s US Open Critique of the Schedule
During his US Open campaign in late August 2025, de Minaur was outspoken about the grueling nature of the modern tennis calendar. After his third-round win over Christopher O’Connell on August 31, he told reporters, “The schedule is insane. We’re playing too many matches, too many tournaments with no break. It’s unsustainable, and players are breaking down.” He reiterated this after his quarterfinal loss to Auger-Aliassime on September 3, saying, “I love the sport, but we need change. The ATP needs to listen—more rest, fewer mandatory events. Otherwise, injuries will keep happening.” De Minaur’s comments echoed broader player frustrations, including those from Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, who have called for a revised calendar to prioritize health.
At the time, de Minaur’s words resonated, especially given his own history of injuries, including a hip issue that sidelined him in 2024. His US Open performance—reaching his sixth major quarterfinal—showed his form, but he emphasized the toll: “From Australia to New York, it’s non-stop. We need a real off-season.”
The Laver Cup Commitment: A Sudden Shift
Fast-forward to September 12, 2025, when the Laver Cup announced de Minaur’s inclusion on Team World, replacing Tiafoe after withdrawals from Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul. Under captain Andre Agassi, de Minaur joins Taylor Fritz, Alex Michelsen, Reilly Opelka, Joao Fonseca, and Francisco Cerundolo against Team Europe (Alcaraz, Zverev, Ruud, Rune, Mensik, Cobolli). De Minaur, who debuted for Team World in 2022 and helped win the title, expressed enthusiasm: “It’s an honour to join Captain Agassi and Team World in San Francisco next week. My first Laver Cup was incredible, and I will be ready to give it everything I’ve got.”
However, the decision has drawn backlash for its timing. De Minaur had initially declined due to post-US Open travel plans from Australia to Asia, but vice-captain Pat Rafter convinced him otherwise. This means he’ll play Australia’s Davis Cup qualifier against Belgium in Sydney on September 13-14—potentially a decider if needed—then fly across the Pacific for the Laver Cup, spanning three continents in under a week. The Laver Cup, an exhibition-style event at Chase Center, doesn’t award ranking points but adds to the fatigue de Minaur decried.
Agassi welcomed him, saying, “We couldn’t be more thrilled to add one of the best and most in-form players in the world to our team.” Yet, critics point out the contradiction: de Minaur’s US Open pleas for schedule reform now seem undermined by opting into another high-profile event.
Fan and Expert Backlash: ‘Ridiculous’ and ‘Hypocritical’
Social media erupted with ridicule, labeling de Minaur’s stance “ridiculous.” One X user posted, “De Minaur complaining about the schedule at US Open, then signs up for Laver Cup after Davis Cup? Make it make sense 😂” (@TennisFanatic22). Another quipped, “From ‘insane schedule’ to jet-setting across continents for an exhibition. Priorities, Alex?” (@TheTennisLetter). Pundits echoed this, with *Tennis Head* calling it a “hypocritical turn,” noting the Laver Cup’s non-ranking status doesn’t justify the travel amid his fatigue concerns.
The irony is amplified by the Laver Cup’s history as a player-friendly event—created by Federer and McEnroe for fun and charity—but its late-September slot clashes with the Asian swing. De Minaur’s schedule now includes potential Davis Cup doubles on September 14, a flight to San Francisco, and the Laver Cup, followed by the Japan Open or Shanghai Masters. This comes after his US Open quarterfinal, where he played four hours against Auger-Aliassime, complaining of the “non-stop” grind.
De Minaur’s Defense and Broader Implications
De Minaur has not directly addressed the criticism, but his Laver Cup statement emphasizes the event’s “incredible experience,” suggesting the team aspect outweighs schedule concerns. As Australia’s Davis Cup leader under Lleyton Hewitt (recently fined £15,000 for a 2024 incident), de Minaur prioritizes national duty, but the Laver Cup addition raises questions about player agency in an overloaded calendar.
The ATP and ITF face ongoing scrutiny, with Djokovic’s PTPA pushing for reforms. De Minaur’s decision, while understandable for a team event, has made his US Open words look premature, sparking debates on whether exhibitions like the Laver Cup exacerbate the problem. As fans await his performance in San Francisco, the “Demon” must now walk the talk—or risk further ridicule in tennis’s packed landscape.
