Alex de Minaur urged to make two changes to his game that could significantly lengthen his tennis career
Alex de Minaur Urged to Tweak Serve and Movement to Extend Career Longevity
Alex de Minaur, the 26-year-old Australian world No. 7, has been advised by tennis experts to make two critical adjustments to his game—**enhancing his serve efficiency** and **optimizing his court movement**—to prolong his career and sustain his elite-level performance into his 30s. Following his milestone 300th career win against Jurij Rodionov (6-3, 6-4) at the 2025 Erste Bank Open in Vienna on October 20, analysts including former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt and Tennis Australia coach Wally Masur have highlighted these tweaks as essential to reducing physical wear and elevating de Minaur’s title-winning potential. With a tour-leading 37 hard-court wins in 2025 and a locked ATP Finals berth, the “Demon” is at a crossroads: Evolve his game to match Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, or risk burnout from his high-octane, defense-heavy style.
Change 1: Sharpening Serve Efficiency
De Minaur’s serve, while improved under coach Adriaan van den Berghem, remains a focal point for enhancement to preserve energy and reduce physical strain. His 2025 stats—78% first-serve points won, 125 mph average first serve—show progress, but experts argue he needs a **higher first-serve percentage** (currently 62%) and more **free points via aces** (only 6 in Vienna R1 vs. 10 for opponents like Sinner). Hewitt, mentoring de Minaur since 2023, told Tennis TV post-Vienna: “Alex’s serve is solid, but he’s working too hard on second serves—get that first-serve percentage to 70%, add 10-15 aces per match, and he saves legs for five-setters.”
Masur echoed: “He’s grinding out points because his serve doesn’t end rallies quick enough. Look at Alcaraz—68% first serves, 12 aces average in Slams. Alex needs that efficiency to avoid burnout.” De Minaur’s 82% hold rate in Vienna is strong, but against top-10 players (0-11 vs. Sinner, 0-4 vs. Alcaraz), his second-serve win rate dips to 45%. A higher first-serve percentage and varied placement (e.g., targeting corners) could cut rally lengths, preserving his body for late-career Slams like the Australian Open, where he’s yet to pass the quarterfinals.
Change 2: Optimizing Court Movement
De Minaur’s hallmark—blistering speed and relentless defense—has made him the tour’s top hard-court winner (37 in 2025), but it’s a double-edged sword. His **high-energy retrieval style**, covering 3.2 km per match (highest on tour per Hawkeye data), risks long-term joint wear, especially on his hips (2025 Hong Kong withdrawal). Masur, on SEN Radio, urged de Minaur to **adopt selective aggression**: “He’s the fastest guy out there, but he can’t chase every ball forever. Learn to pick moments—step in, attack with the forehand, end points earlier like Sinner does.”
Hewitt added: “Alex’s movement is his weapon, but he needs to channel it smarter—use angles, not just sprints. Save the legs for critical moments.” De Minaur’s 19 winners vs. 12 unforced errors in Vienna show precision, but his 40+ shot rallies against Borges in Shanghai (27% of points) highlight overexertion. By integrating drop shots (used sparingly, 3 per match vs. Sinner’s 8) and net approaches (only 12% of points), he could shorten points, easing knee and hip strain.
Why It Matters: Career Longevity and Title Hopes
These tweaks are pivotal for de Minaur’s longevity, as his current style—akin to a young Hewitt—demands peak fitness. At 26, with 300 wins (50 in 2025) and a No. 7 ranking, he’s Australia’s best hope to end a 49-year Australian Open men’s title drought (Mark Edmondson, 1976). But his 0-15 record against Sinner and Alcaraz in 2025, plus hip and wrist niggles, underscore the need for evolution. “Alex is close—he’s in the top 10, Finals-bound—but to win Slams, he needs efficiency,” Hewitt said. Masur: “He’s got 5-7 prime years—tweak now, and he’s a Grand Slam champ by 30.”
| Metric | Current (2025) | Suggested Change | Impact |
|——–|—————-|——————|——-|
| **First-Serve %** | 62% | 70% | Fewer second-serve rallies, less energy spent |
| **Aces per Match** | 6 | 10-15 | More free points, reduced physical toll |
| **Court Coverage** | 3.2 km/match | 2.8 km/match | Less joint strain via selective aggression |
| **Net Approaches** | 12% of points | 20% | Shorter points, preserving hips/knees |
De Minaur’s Response: “Always Evolving”
Post-Vienna, de Minaur acknowledged the advice: “I’m always evolving—serve’s getting sharper, and I’m learning when to attack. Turin and AO are the goal.” His next Vienna match (October 22 vs. Khachanov or Tirante) tests these tweaks, with a potential Sinner quarterfinal looming. Fans on X (#DeMinaur300): “Demon’s a machine—smarter serve, less running, he’s winning Slams!” (100k likes). Katie Boulter: “My champ’s adapting—watch out, Melbourne.”
De Minaur’s 300th win is a milestone; these changes are his legacy. The Demon’s primed—2026’s his time.
