Alex de Minaur Suffers Setback After Loss to Andrey Rublev, Drops in Rankings
Alex de Minaur has been dealt a tough blow after losing to Andrey Rublev in an intense, two-hour battle. The Australian star saved seven match points but ultimately fell 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (10-8) in a thrilling encounter.
Rublev, who had not defeated a top 10 player in over six months, was left stunned by de Minaur’s incredible resistance, even joking after the match, “I wanna punch him!” in admiration of his opponent’s fighting spirit.
De Minaur Drops in ATP Rankings
This loss comes as a major setback for de Minaur’s goal of breaking into the top five of the ATP rankings. After surpassing Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev last week, the 25-year-old has now fallen back to World No.8.
Djokovic moves up to World No.7, while Medvedev climbs to No.6, despite both players being eliminated from the Qatar Open. De Minaur will be frustrated by this missed opportunity, especially as Carlos Alcaraz was eliminated from the other side of the draw by Jiri Lehecka.
With both Djokovic and Alcaraz out, de Minaur will rue not capitalizing on the chance to reach the semi-finals and push for the title without facing a higher-ranked opponent.
Skipping Acapulco: A Risky Move?
Adding to his ranking concerns, de Minaur has opted out of defending his title at the Mexican Open in Acapulco, where he defeated Casper Ruud in the 2024 final. Instead, he has chosen to compete at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The decision surprised many fans, as Acapulco has a stronger field featuring players like Alexander Zverev, Ruud, and Taylor Fritz. However, Dubai offers a larger prize pool—$3.4 million compared to Acapulco’s $2.7 million.
Some speculate de Minaur’s choice was influenced by his partner Katie Boulter, who was expected to play the Dubai WTA 1000 event but later withdrew without explanation.
Regardless, de Minaur must win Dubai to defend his ranking points. His path may include another clash with Rublev, who is also set to compete.
Rublev Praises De Minaur’s Fight
Despite securing the victory, Rublev had nothing but praise for de Minaur’s relentless energy.
“I did everything amazing, and he just played an unreal rally,” Rublev said, referencing a 23-shot exchange at match point, which de Minaur won with a brutal forehand winner.
“In most matches, normally after these points, they win—it’s a turning point.”
As de Minaur prepares for Dubai, all eyes will be on whether this risky decision pays off—or if it leads to further struggles in his race for the top five.
