Alex de Minaur’s Libema Open 2025 Withdrawal Sparks Buzz, but Fans Rally Behind His Resilience
Alex de Minaur, the world No. 9 and defending champion, stunned fans with a dramatic last-minute withdrawal from the Libema Open in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, on June 6, 2025, just days after a heartbreaking second-round exit at the French Open. The ATP 250 grass-court event, a key Wimbledon warm-up, announced his absence due to a shoulder injury, with @LibemaOpen posting on X, “Unfortunately, Alex de Minaur won’t be able to defend his Libéma Open title this year. Get well soon, Alex! 💚” The withdrawal caused a stir when the tournament’s social media team initially shared quotes hyping his return, unaware of his decision, leading to confusion among fans, as noted by @TennisUpToDate2 on X.
De Minaur’s French Open loss to Alexander Bublik (2-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2) saw him squander a two-set lead, prompting him to admit to mental and physical burnout in a press conference, per The Tennis Gazette. “I’m just tired, mentally burnt out,” he said, calling for a shorter ATP schedule to prevent player burnout, a sentiment echoed by Casper Ruud. The Libema withdrawal, reported by Motociclismo.pt, allowed compatriot Rinky Hijikata to gain direct entry, while De Minaur shifted focus to the ATP 500 Queen’s Club Championships starting June 16, where he’ll be the fifth seed alongside Carlos Alcaraz and Jack Draper.
Fans on X, like @crosscourt1, expressed disappointment but admiration for De Minaur’s grit, with @MSports_all noting the “shocking drama” but highlighting his resolve to return stronger. Despite the setback, De Minaur’s 27 tour wins in 2025, including a Monte Carlo semi-final, and his career-high No. 6 ranking in 2024, per ATPTour.com, keep fans optimistic. His dazzling speed and “Demon” nickname continue to captivate, with supporters eagerly awaiting his grass-court comeback
