Australian tennis has long been defined by two very different stars — and while rumours once threatened to drive a wedge between them, Nick Kyrgios has been emphatic in setting the record straight about what his bond with Alex de Minaur is truly like.
The two men could hardly be more different in personality. Kyrgios — combustible, unpredictable, a lightning rod for controversy throughout his career — built a following as much for his off-court theatrics as for his mercurial on-court brilliance. De Minaur, nicknamed ‘Demon’ for his relentless energy and nicknamed ‘Speed Demon’ for his extraordinary court coverage, has gone about his business with quiet diligence, grinding his way into the world’s top ten through consistency and sheer will. Yet despite those contrasting profiles, the pair share a connection that goes back years — and it was Kyrgios himself who explained its origins in the most endearing terms.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald ahead of the 2023 Australian Open, following his withdrawal from that year’s United Cup, Kyrgios left no room for ambiguity when asked about his compatriot. “Me and Demon have a very special relationship,” he said. “I still remember him being the orange boy in the Davis Cup team and I was the one who would hit with him when the tie was finished.” The Tennis Gazette
It was a throwback to a simpler time — a teenage de Minaur on the fringes of the Australian Davis Cup squad, fetching balls and absorbing every moment of big-time tennis he could, while a young Kyrgios was one of the few established stars willing to give him the time of day on the practice court. That kind of early kindness forms the bedrock of long-lasting sporting bonds, and it clearly has for these two.
The context for Kyrgios’s remarks was significant. Reports had emerged that de Minaur was unhappy with Kyrgios after the latter pulled out of the United Cup at the last minute amid injury concerns — with Kyrgios having opted to play in an exhibition event in Saudi Arabia late the previous year rather than represent Australia in the Davis Cup, further stoking tensions. Yahoo! The suggestion of a feud between Australia’s two biggest names was a compelling narrative, but Kyrgios was having none of it.
“Me and Demon have a great relationship. He came up to me yesterday and said, ‘I’m sorry for everything and I hope your body goes well’. I respect all these players, so it’s not a big deal when I read about me and Demon are feuding. He’s one of my close mates on tour, and he always will be.” The Tennis Gazette
The warmth has flowed in both directions for years. Well before any talk of feuds surfaced, de Minaur described Kyrgios as “one of the nicest guys out there” and said his compatriot is “very misunderstood,” adding that Kyrgios is “that person that’s always going to have your back, no matter what” and that from basically a junior level, Kyrgios had always told him to believe in himself and go out and take it. Tennis365
De Minaur has also painted a picture of Kyrgios as a teammate that very few outside the locker room ever get to see, saying: “We have always had a great relationship. Nick has always done everything he can to help me and I will always be grateful to him. We are quite different but complementary. When it comes to team competitions, you would never want to have anyone else at his place. He will be on your side in any situation and will do anything to help you. These are aspects that are not seen on the pitch, things that happen behind closed doors.” EssentiallySports
That loyalty has manifested publicly on multiple occasions. At the 2025 Australian Open, when a social media user posted that de Minaur would not even be in the world’s top 100 in any other era and described him as “genuinely average,” Kyrgios shot back immediately, writing: “This could be the worst take I’ve ever seen.” TennisUpToDate Fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis piled in behind him in agreement.
Kyrgios has also spoken with genuine admiration for what de Minaur has built. Speaking of his countryman’s place in the modern game, Kyrgios acknowledged that while de Minaur may face difficulties unseating Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner at the major level given how they are playing, he remains one of three or four players capable of going all the way if chaos strikes a draw. “Whatever happens, and I know he may never win a Major or a Masters 1000 event, I still like what he is doing and how he plays,” Kyrgios said. Tennis World USA
The pair have met just once competitively on the ATP Tour. Their sole clash came at the Canadian Open in 2022, where Kyrgios defeated de Minaur 6-2, 6-3 in the round of 16 on his way to the quarterfinals. The Tennis Gazette But with Kyrgios having battled severe knee and wrist injuries since that peak year — and de Minaur establishing himself firmly as Australia’s number one — the nature of their relationship has perhaps shifted from mentor and protégé to equals, bound by the shared experience of flying the flag for their country.
Whatever the results on court, the relationship between these two very different Australians has proven to be one of the most genuine in the game — built on a ball-boy in Davis Cup colours, a senior player willing to stay out on the practice court, and years of quiet loyalty that the cameras rarely catch.
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