Alex de Minaur releases statement as he withdraws from tournament just two days before it starts
Alex de Minaur Withdraws from Ultimate Tennis Showdown Hong Kong Due to Hip Injury
Alex de Minaur, the world No. 7 Australian star, has announced his withdrawal from the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) event in Hong Kong, just two days before the tournament’s start on October 14, 2025. The 26-year-old cited a lingering hip injury as the reason, revealing that despite arriving in the city and attempting to practice, the pain proved too severe to compete. In a statement released on October 12, de Minaur expressed disappointment but optimism for a future return, emphasizing his desire to avoid risking further damage ahead of the season’s climax. This marks another setback for de Minaur in a year of milestones, including 50 tour-level wins and a tour-leading 37 on hard courts, but his focus remains on full recovery for Paris-Bercy and the ATP Finals.
The Statement: “I Have Had No Choice”
De Minaur’s official withdrawal statement, shared via his social media and the ATP Tour website, was heartfelt and candid:
> “I’ve always wanted to come here to Hong Kong, so I tried everything I could to play this tournament. However, it now seems I haven’t physically recovered quickly enough, as I was feeling the pain even before working on the practice court. We flew in, we tried to practice, I just have too much pain in my hip. After discussing with my team, I have had no choice but to withdraw and meet my doctors for a proper assessment.
>
> I have been amazed by the excellent venue for the Hong Kong leg of the tour and the outstanding player lineup, which is sure to deliver an incredibly exciting tournament for everyone. I hope everyone thoroughly enjoys the competition, and I look forward to hopefully returning to Hong Kong soon to put on a great show for you all in the future.”
The announcement came after de Minaur and his team arrived in Hong Kong, where he was slated to be the only top-10 ATP player in the field. UTS organizer Patrick Mouratoglou, a renowned coach, responded supportively: “While it’s unfortunate that Alex has been forced to withdraw from the event, we understand that injuries are an inevitable part of this physically and mentally demanding sport, particularly towards the end of a long season.” American Jenson Brooksby will replace de Minaur in the draw.
The Injury: A Hip Issue Amid a Packed Schedule
De Minaur’s hip problem appears to be a flare-up from earlier in the season, potentially linked to the cumulative toll of his grueling 2025 calendar. The Australian has been a model of consistency, reaching 50 tour-level wins (a career high) and leading the ATP with 37 hard-court victories, but he’s battled niggles throughout: A left hip strain forced him to retire from the Queen’s Club Championships in June, and he withdrew from the Olympics singles in Paris due to a similar issue, focusing on doubles with Alexei Popyrin. More recently, he pulled out of the s-Hertogenbosch grass-court event in early June citing the same hip tear.
Despite these hiccups, de Minaur’s form has been electric: A quarterfinal at the Australian Open, finals in Rotterdam and Acapulco, and a semifinal in Beijing. His Shanghai Masters quarterfinal run last week, where he fell 6-4, 6-4 to Daniil Medvedev, pushed him to 50 wins but came at a physical cost. “There’s too much tennis,” de Minaur vented after a second-round loss at Roland Garros in May, a sentiment echoed by his latest withdrawal. At 26, with a 71% win rate (50-18 record), he’s prioritizing long-term health for the ATP Finals in Turin (November 10-17), where he’s seventh in the Race standings.
De Minaur’s 2025: Triumphs Amid the Toll
De Minaur’s season has been a breakout, but injuries have cast shadows:
– **Australian Open**: Quarterfinals (lost to Sinner).
– **Rotterdam**: Finalist (lost to Alcaraz in three sets).
– **Acapulco**: Champion (defended 2024 title).
– **Beijing**: Semifinals (took a set off Sinner for first time since 2020).
– **Shanghai**: Quarterfinals (lost to Medvedev).
– **UTS Hong Kong**: Withdrew (hip injury).
His 50 wins tie Taylor Fritz for third behind Alcaraz (67) and Sinner (62), with 37 on hard courts (tour-leading). A top-5 year-end ranking (495 points from No. 5 Djokovic) would seed him at the 2026 Australian Open, easing his path.
| Player | 2025 Wins | Hard-Court Wins | Key Withdrawal |
|——–|———–|—————–|—————-|
| Alex de Minaur | 50 | 37 (Tour-leading) | UTS Hong Kong (hip) |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 67 | 34 | Shanghai (ankle) |
| Jannik Sinner | 62 | 34 | None recent |
| Taylor Fritz | 50 | 34 | None |
Looking Ahead: Paris-Bercy and ATP Finals Focus
De Minaur heads to Paris-Bercy (October 27) rested, with a top-5 breakthrough possible via a deep run (495 points needed). The ATP Finals in Turin follow, where he’s locked in as No. 7. “I’m devastated, but health first,” de Minaur said. His statement’s positivity—”look forward to returning”—signals resilience. As Australia’s top hope since Lleyton Hewitt, de Minaur’s withdrawal is a bump, not a break. The Demon’s fire burns on.
