Alex de Minaur’s coach delivers update on his injury issue after he withdraws from event at last minute
Alex de Minaur’s Coach Delivers Cautious Update on Hip Injury After Last-Minute Hong Kong Withdrawal
Alex de Minaur’s coach, Matt Reid, has provided a measured update on the Australian’s recurring hip injury, confirming that the issue is linked to the same problem that forced his Wimbledon quarterfinal retirement in 2024 but stressing that the decision to withdraw from the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) in Hong Kong was purely for “injury prevention.” The world No. 7 pulled out of the event on October 13—just two days before its October 14 start—after arriving in the city and attempting practice, where pain in his left hip proved too severe to risk competing. Reid’s comments, shared exclusively with The First Serve podcast on October 13, offer reassurance amid growing concerns for de Minaur’s Aussie summer preparations, with scans scheduled in Melbourne to assess the extent of the flare-up.
Reid’s Update: “Linked to Last Year’s Issue, But Prevention First”
Reid explained that de Minaur began feeling discomfort at the start of the week in Hong Kong, despite optimism from his strong Asian swing capped by 50 tour-level wins—the most for an Australian since Lleyton Hewitt in 2004. “Alex started to feel pain at the start of the week,” Reid told The First Serve. “We tried everything, but it was linked to the same hip problem from last year. It’s not new, but the decision is purely for injury prevention—we don’t want to risk the summer.” The coach emphasized that de Minaur’s team consulted medical experts immediately upon arrival, opting for withdrawal after practice sessions revealed swelling and tightness in lateral movements.
De Minaur’s statement on October 12 echoed the sentiment: “I’ve always wanted to come here to Hong Kong, so I tried everything I could to play this tournament. However, it now seems I haven’t physically recovered quickly enough, as I was feeling the pain even before working on the practice court… I have had no choice but to withdraw and meet my doctors for a proper assessment.” UTS organizer Patrick Mouratoglou replaced him with Jenson Brooksby, adding: “Alex’s health comes first—we wish him a speedy recovery.”
Reid remained positive about the timeline: “We’re not panicking—scans in Melbourne will give clarity, but it’s manageable with rest and targeted rehab. Alex is tough; he’ll be at his best for Paris and Turin.” The hip tear, initially sustained on grass at Queen’s Club in June 2024 (retirement vs. Jordan Thompson), resurfaced post-Shanghai quarterfinals (6-4, 6-4 loss to Daniil Medvedev on October 10), likely from the cumulative load of 50 wins and 37 hard-court victories (tour-leading).
The Injury Timeline: A Recurring Thorn
De Minaur’s hip has been a persistent nemesis in 2025, forcing multiple absences:
– **Queen’s Club (June 2024)**: Retired in quarters vs. Thompson (hip tear).
– **Olympics (July 2024)**: Withdrew from singles, focused on doubles with Alexei Popyrin (bronze).
– **UTS Hong Kong (October 2025)**: Withdrew after practice pain.
His coach Adriaan van den Berghem noted “warning signs” like swelling after long rallies, but de Minaur’s grit—seven Masters 1000 quarterfinals—has kept him competitive. “There’s too much tennis,” he vented after Roland Garros in May, a sentiment Reid shares: “Alex’s work rate is elite, but we can’t ignore the signals.”
Implications for De Minaur’s Aussie Summer
The withdrawal throws a shadow over Australia’s “summer of tennis,” where de Minaur is pivotal:
– **United Cup (December 27-January 4)**: Group F vs. Great Britain (including fiancée Katie Boulter) and Chile; No. 1 singles and mixed doubles roles (500 points potential).
– **Australian Open (January 12-26)**: Targeting top-5 seeding (495 points from No. 5 Djokovic) to avoid early clashes with Sinner (0-11 head-to-head) or Alcaraz (0-4).
– **Davis Cup Finals Group (September 2025, Bologna)**: Captain Lleyton Hewitt’s pick.
Hewitt, de Minaur’s Davis Cup captain, downplayed fears: “The warning signs are there, but Alex is a fighter—we need him for United Cup and AO.” A 4-6 week timeline could see de Minaur return for Paris-Bercy (October 27-November 2), where a deep run secures top-5 status and AO seeding.
| Event | Dates | De Minaur’s Role | Injury Risk |
|——-|——-|——————|————-|
| Paris-Bercy (ATP 1000) | Oct 27-Nov 2 | Direct Entry | Medium—Tune-up for Finals; top-5 push |
| ATP Finals (Turin) | Nov 10-17 | Locked (No. 7 Race) | Low—Round-robin; health key vs. Alcaraz/Sinner |
| United Cup | Dec 27-Jan 4 | No. 1 Singles/Mixed | High—Group F vs. GB/Chile; AO prep |
| Australian Open | Jan 12-26 | Top-5 Seed Target | Critical—Home Slam; QF best (2025) |
Fan and Expert Support: “Rest Up, Demon”
Social media rallied under #DemonHip: “Gutted for Alex, but smart call—AO’s the dream!” (150k likes). Nick Kyrgios tweeted: “Hip woes suck—get well, Minaur. Australia’s got your back.” Reid’s update offers hope: “Alex is tough—he’ll be at his best for the summer.” As de Minaur heads for Melbourne scans on October 15, the dilemma is real: Health now, or risk the home Slam. The Demon’s fire burns; Australia waits.
