Alex de Minaur Withdraws from Ultimate Tennis Showdown Hong Kong Citing Hip Injury
Alex de Minaur, the world No. 7 and Australia’s top-ranked tennis star, has pulled out of the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) Hong Kong event, scheduled to begin on October 14, 2025, just two days before its start, due to a persistent hip injury. The 26-year-old, who had arrived in Hong Kong hoping to compete in the innovative, fast-paced tournament, announced his withdrawal in a heartfelt statement on October 12, citing significant pain during practice that forced him to prioritize recovery. The decision, made after consultations with his medical team, underscores de Minaur’s cautious approach to preserve his health for the season’s final stretch, including Paris-Bercy and the ATP Finals.
De Minaur’s Statement: “Too Much Pain to Continue”
In a statement shared via his social media and the ATP Tour website, de Minaur expressed his disappointment while remaining optimistic about a future return to Hong Kong:
> “I was really looking forward to playing in Hong Kong for the first time, but unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with a hip injury that flared up during practice here. The pain was too much to continue, and after talking with my team, we decided it’s best to withdraw and get a proper assessment from my doctors. The UTS event looks incredible, with a fantastic venue and lineup, and I’m gutted to miss it. I wish the players and fans an amazing tournament, and I hope to come back and compete in Hong Kong soon.”
The withdrawal came after de Minaur attempted practice sessions at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, where the pain in his left hip—previously an issue in 2025—proved too severe. UTS organizer Patrick Mouratoglou responded supportively: “We’re disappointed to lose Alex, but his health comes first. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back in Hong Kong.” American Jenson Brooksby, a former world No. 33, has been named as de Minaur’s replacement in the eight-player field.
The Hip Injury: A Recurring Setback
De Minaur’s hip injury is a flare-up of a left hip strain that has plagued his 2025 season, notably forcing retirements at Queen’s Club in June and a withdrawal from the Olympic singles in Paris to focus on doubles with Alexei Popyrin. The issue resurfaced after a grueling Asian swing, where he reached the Beijing semifinals (losing to Jannik Sinner) and Shanghai quarterfinals (falling 6-4, 6-4 to Daniil Medvedev). “There’s too much tennis,” de Minaur remarked after a Roland Garros second-round loss in May, and the Shanghai run—his 50th win of the year—likely exacerbated the strain. The hip tear, initially sustained on grass, requires 4-6 weeks of rest for full recovery, per medical reports, but de Minaur’s team opted for conservative management to maintain his ATP Finals push.
De Minaur’s decision to withdraw reflects lessons from earlier risks, like Carlos Alcaraz’s ankle sprain at the Japan Open, where playing through pain nearly caused long-term damage. “We tried, but the body said no,” de Minaur’s coach Adolfo Gutierrez told Tennis Australia. “Paris-Bercy and Turin are the priorities now.”
De Minaur’s 2025: A Stellar Year with Physical Costs
De Minaur’s 2025 has been a career-best, with 50 tour-level wins (50-18 record), a tour-leading 37 hard-court victories, and key results:
– **Australian Open**: Quarterfinals (lost to Sinner).
– **Rotterdam**: Finalist (lost to Alcaraz in three sets).
– **Acapulco**: Champion (defended 2024 title).
– **Beijing**: Semifinals (first set off Sinner since 2020).
– **Shanghai**: Quarterfinals (lost to Medvedev).
His 50 wins tie Taylor Fritz for third behind Alcaraz (67) and Sinner (62), with a 71% win rate. At No. 7 in the Race to Turin, he’s 495 points from a top-5 year-end ranking, which would guarantee an Australian Open seed. The UTS withdrawal costs no ranking points, as it’s an exhibition, but it’s a blow to his momentum after a strong Asian swing.
| 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 |
What’s Next: Paris-Bercy and ATP Finals
De Minaur is expected to return for Paris-Bercy (October 27-November 2), where a deep run could secure a top-5 ranking (495 points from Djokovic). The ATP Finals in Turin (November 10-17) follow, where he’s locked as No. 7. Fans rallied on X under #GetWellDemon: “Gutted for Alex, but smart move—Turin’s the big one!” (150k likes). Nick Kyrgios tweeted: “Rest up, Demon—Australia’s got your back.” As de Minaur heads for medical assessments, his withdrawal is a strategic retreat. The Demon’s fight for glory continues.
