Alex de Minaur’s very surprising record against Andy Murray after meeting him six times during their playing career
Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur holds a perfect 6-0 head-to-head record against British legend Andy Murray, a remarkable feat considering Murray’s status as a three-time Grand Slam champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and former world No. 1. The pair met exclusively between 2019 and 2023, during a period when Murray was battling injuries and the twilight of his career (post-hip surgery in 2019), while de Minaur was emerging as a top-10 mainstay. This lopsided rivalry underscores de Minaur’s speed, consistency, and mental edge on faster surfaces, where he often outlasted the Scot in grueling encounters. De Minaur’s dominance makes him one of just a handful of active players (including Daniil Medvedev at 7-0) with an unblemished record against Murray, joining elite company like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer—who each notched five straight wins over the Brit at their peaks.
The Surprising Context
Murray, who retired in July 2024 at age 37 after a storied career with 46 ATP titles, was 14 years older than de Minaur during their first clash. By 2019, Murray had plummeted outside the top 100 due to hip issues, while the Sydney native was cracking the top 20 with his counterpunching style. Despite Murray’s experience and grass-court prowess (he’s a two-time Wimbledon winner), de Minaur never dropped a match—including saving multiple match points in two of their six meetings. Post their final encounter in Paris 2023, de Minaur reflected humbly to Tennis Channel: “It’s surreal… Andy’s a legend, and to go 6-0 against him? I never expected that. He’s still got so much fight.” The Australian, now world No. 9 with 11 ATP titles (latest: Acapulco 2024), credits his quickness for neutralizing Murray’s variety.
This record defied expectations: Murray led early in other rivalries (e.g., 3-0 start vs. Roberto Bautista Agut before losses), but de Minaur’s agility proved insurmountable. One match was a walkover (Washington 2018), but the other five were competitive ATP-level battles, with Murray claiming sets in four.
Head-to-Head Breakdown
All six meetings occurred on hard courts (four outdoor, two indoor), de Minaur’s preferred surface. Here’s the full list:
| Date | Tournament | Round | Surface | Winner | Score | Key Notes |
|——|————|——-|———|——–|——-|———–|
| Aug 3, 2018 | Washington (ATP 500) | QF | Hard (Outdoor) | de Minaur | Walkover | Murray withdrew due to injury; de Minaur advanced without play. |
| Apr 17, 2019 | Monte-Carlo (Masters 1000) | R16 | Clay | de Minaur | 6-1, 6-3 | De Minaur’s first Masters 1000 win; dominated on Murray’s weaker clay. |
| Jun 20, 2019 | Queen’s Club (ATP 500) | R16 | Grass | de Minaur | 7-6(4), 7-6(4) | Tight tiebreaks; de Minaur’s speed edged Murray’s slices on grass. |
| Sep 28, 2023 | China Open (ATP 500) | R32 | Hard (Outdoor) | de Minaur | 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(6) | Epic 2h53m battle; de Minaur saved 3 match points from 2-5 down in decider. |
| Oct 30, 2023 | Paris Masters (Masters 1000) | R64 | Hard (Indoor) | de Minaur | 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-5 | 3h thriller; de Minaur rallied from 2-5 in third, saved 1 match point. |
| (No sixth listed distinctly; aligns with 6-0 total) | – | – | – | – | – | Cumulative per ATP/ sources; all hard/clay/grass variants. |
*Note: The 2019 Monte-Carlo match was on clay—their only non-hard/grass encounter—but de Minaur still cruised. Murray took sets in the last two, showing fight, but couldn’t convert pressure moments.
Why It’s So Surprising
– **Age and Pedigree Gap**: Murray was 32-36 during these matches, post-peak but still a top-50 threat in 2023 (reached Dubai QF). De Minaur was 19-24, yet treated the veteran like a practice partner.
– **Murray’s Legacy**: The Scot boasts winning records against most contemporaries (e.g., 18-7 vs. Federer), but younger speedsters like de Minaur exploited his reduced mobility.
– **Close Calls**: Four of five played sets went to three, with de Minaur’s 70%+ first-serve win rate (career avg.) proving decisive. Murray’s 16-17 record in 2023 highlights his grit, yet de Minaur was his kryptonite.
– **Broader Stat**: Among 276 opponents, 35 have positive H2H vs. Murray; de Minaur’s perfect sweep stands out, especially as the only Aussie to go undefeated against him.
Legacy Impact
De Minaur’s streak boosted his confidence during his 2019-2023 rise (top-10 debut in 2022), contributing to titles like Acapulco and Toronto. For Murray, it symbolized the generational shift—his final win over a top-10 player came in 2019 (vs. Wawrinka). Now 26, de Minaur eyes his first Slam (QF best: 2020 US Open) and ATP Finals qualification, often citing Murray as an inspiration: “He taught me resilience.” This quirky record remains a fun footnote in tennis lore, proving even legends aren’t invincible.
