Alex De Minaur says he’s made a change to his game to try and compete with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Australian world No. 8 Alex de Minaur has revealed a key tactical adjustment to his game—improvements to his serve—aiming to elevate his level and better compete against dominant forces like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Speaking in a pre-tournament interview ahead of the 2025 Shanghai Masters on October 3, de Minaur explained that recent tweaks have enhanced his serving effectiveness, particularly evident in strong performances at the Laver Cup and China Open, where he notched wins over Alexander Zverev and Jakub Mensik. However, he acknowledged challenges: “I think recently I made a couple tweaks to my serve which have played out quite well… but I’ve been able to serve pretty well in Laver Cup and Beijing.” This change addresses a prior issue where his more powerful serve sacrificed accuracy, a deliberate effort to match the baseline firepower and consistency of top players like Alcaraz (0-4 head-to-head) and Sinner (0-11).
The Context: Struggles Against the Elite
De Minaur’s motivation stems from his lopsided records against the duo: Sinner has won all 11 meetings, dropping just one set (in 2020), while Alcaraz leads 4-0, including a recent Rotterdam final. His China Open semifinal loss to Sinner (6-3, 4-6, 6-2) on September 30—despite taking a set for the first time in years—highlighted the gap, with Sinner’s 86% first-serve points won overwhelming de Minaur’s returns. De Minaur, who leads the ATP in hard-court wins (34 in 2025), has long relied on speed and counterpunching but recognizes the need for a more aggressive serve to neutralize powerhouses.
The tweaks focus on balancing power and precision, allowing de Minaur to hold serve more reliably in extended rallies—crucial against Alcaraz’s variety and Sinner’s depth. As he prepares for Shanghai (potential second-round vs. a qualifier), de Minaur views these changes as essential for breaking through: “To compete with the biggest and best, you need that edge on serve.”
Head-to-Head Challenges
De Minaur’s records underscore the urgency:
| Opponent | H2H Record | Recent Match |
|———-|————|————–|
| Jannik Sinner | 0-11 | China Open SF (Sep 2025): 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 0-4 | Rotterdam Final (Feb 2025): Lost in 3 sets |
Looking Ahead: Shanghai and Beyond
As the No. 8 seed in Shanghai, de Minaur could face Sinner or Alcaraz later, providing an early test for his upgraded serve. His 2025 form (47 wins, ATP Finals lock) shows promise, but closing the elite gap requires sustained tweaks. “It’s about evolving to match their level,” he added, eyeing a top-5 year-end push. With coach Adriaan van den Berghem, de Minaur’s focus on serve accuracy could unlock breakthroughs—watch for aces and holds in the Masters 1000.
