Alex de Minaur — once one of the sport’s most mentally resilient players — appears to be unraveling at the Nitto ATP Finals. The Australian, seeded among the contenders, admitted after a gutting defeat to Lorenzo Musetti that he is in a “very dark place,” as recurrent mental lapses continue to plague his big-match performances. (ATP Tour)
A Repeat Pattern of Collapse
In his round-robin encounter, de Minaur served for the match in the third set against Musetti. Leading 5–3, on the cusp of a crucial win, he instead watched momentum slip away — losing four games in a row to hand the Italian a 7–5, 3–6, 7–5 victory. (ATP Tour)
That loss wasn’t just painful — for de Minaur, it’s part of a much bigger mental battle.
“If I really want to be serious about taking the next step in my career, these matches … I can’t lose them. I just can’t,” he said, his frustration hitting a raw nerve. (ATP Tour)
“More than anything, it’s getting to a point where mentally it’s killing me.” (The Guardian)
The Pressure Is Building
This isn’t a small stumble for de Minaur. He’s repeatedly handed himself chances in critical moments this season — only to falter. He openly admitted to needing a serious conversation with his team:
“I just have to talk to my team and try to sort out these issues … these are issues that can’t keep happening.” (SABC Sport)
“It’s something that, if it doesn’t get sorted, it’s going to eat me alive.” (Yahoo News Australia)
A Glimpse of Redemption — But Still Fragile
De Minaur did manage to recover somewhat later in the tournament. He beat Taylor Fritz in straight sets, delivering a more composed performance. (ATP Tour)
He told reporters afterward that he’d finally “made peace” with himself, committing to his style of play from the first point to the last. (ATP Tour) He also credited his support system — including his girlfriend Katie Boulter — for helping him weather the emotional shockwaves of his loss to Musetti. (ATP Tour)
Why This Matters
- Mental fragility under pressure: De Minaur’s quote about being “killed” mentally speaks to a deeper issue — one that could derail his rise unless addressed.
- Pattern of missed opportunities: This isn’t the first time he’s faltered in big moments (especially deciding sets), which raises serious questions about his ability to break through at the very top. (The Independent)
- Team under pressure: His coaching team and close support must find a way to help him reset — or risk more high-stakes heartbreak.
Bottom Line
Alex de Minaur’s challenges in Turin go beyond a bad match. He’s battling mental demons at a point where his career could make a major leap — but only if he can find a way to finish when it matters most.
If de Minaur can’t break this pattern, his reputation as one of the most mentally strong players on tour could become his biggest weakness.
