Andy Roddick states what so many people get wrong about Alex de Minaur after his performance at the Laver Cup
Alex de Minaur’s unbeaten run at the 2025 Laver Cup—capping Team World’s 15-9 triumph over Europe with seven crucial points—has reignited debates about the Australian’s game. But former US Open champion Andy Roddick, speaking on his “Served with Andy Roddick” podcast from San Francisco, zeroed in on what he calls the “lazy mistake” so many make about the World No. 8: Labeling him a “purely defensive counterpuncher.” Roddick, who watched de Minaur dismantle Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-4 on Day 2 before adding doubles wins with Alex Michelsen, praised the 26-year-old’s offensive evolution. “We get into the laziness sometimes of ‘okay, he’s not as big as everyone else and he’s really fast, so that must mean he’s a purely defensive player,’” Roddick said. “That’s what so many people get wrong—Alex is a weapon up close.”
De Minaur’s Laver Cup Masterclass: From Zverev Rout to Unbeaten Glory
De Minaur, Australia’s top-ranked player and a key cog in Team World’s third Laver Cup title (after 2018 and 2022), was flawless across four matches. His Day 2 opener against Zverev—his third career win over the No. 3 (all in team events)—set the tone: A 5-0 blitz in the first set, 16/25 net points won, and zero breaks conceded, all in 98 minutes. “These guys hit so hard… I’ve got to find different ways to hurt them,” de Minaur said post-match, highlighting his slice-heavy, net-rushing tactics inspired by Roger Federer (who attended).
He followed with a 6-3, 6-4 Day 3 singles win over Jakub Mensik (three points) and two doubles triumphs with Michelsen: 6-3, 6-4 over Holger Rune/Casper Ruud (despite a gruesome ear injury from blocking Rune’s shot with his racket) and a 7-6(4), 6-1 opener. De Minaur’s haul tied Fritz for top scorer (seven points), flipping a 3-1 deficit into a 15-9 victory, with captain Andre Agassi vowing to “go to battle” with him anytime.
The Aussie credited the Bay Area’s expat crowd: “The support from our Aussies… it feels like home.” Roddick, analyzing on-site, saw deeper: De Minaur’s 2025 form—29 hard-court wins (ATP-leading), Washington title, US Open quarters—proves he’s no mere retriever.
Roddick’s Take: Beyond the ‘Counterpuncher’ Label
Roddick, a 2003 US Open winner and vocal de Minaur fan, has long championed the Sydneysider’s underrated edge. On his podcast, he dissected the misconception: Observers fixate on de Minaur’s speed (Djokovic calls him “the fastest”) and smaller frame (5’11”, 163 lbs), assuming he’s a baseline scavenger like early-career David Ferrer. But Roddick countered: “He’s unlocked the net game over two years—volleys, chips, drops. That’s not defense; that’s danger.”
De Minaur’s stats back it: 2025 net win rate (68% at Laver Cup), 10th career title (Washington, saving three championship points), and quarters at AO/USO. Roddick tied it to team events: De Minaur’s 3-0 singles record here mirrors his Davis Cup heroics, thriving under pressure. “People forget: Speed + smarts = offense. Alex hurts you coming forward.”
The praise aligns with Roddick’s Laver Cup evolution—from skeptic to evangelist after a 2021 chat with Federer. “Alex makes majors feel inevitable,” Roddick added, predicting a deep Asian swing (Beijing next).
The Bigger Picture: De Minaur’s Rise and Team World’s Momentum
De Minaur’s Laver Cup dominance—unbeaten since his 2022 debut—bolsters his top-10 bid (career-high No. 6 in 2024). Engaged to WTA star Katie Boulter, he’s balanced injury woes (2024 groin tear nearly forced surgery) with resilience, crediting mentors like Lleyton Hewitt. Roddick’s words cut through the noise: In a Slam-heavy era, de Minaur’s “complete” game—defense to attack—positions him for breakthroughs.
As Fritz (nine points) and de Minaur bask in glory, Roddick’s insight reminds: True stars defy labels. For de Minaur, that’s just the start.
