Alex de Minaur has reached new milestones over the past year. Last season, he made the quarter-finals at three of the four Grand Slams, broke into the Top 10 of the PIF ATP Rankings, and qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time.
This week, the 25-year-old arrives at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam following his maiden quarter-final appearance on home soil at the Australian Open.
“I do feel like I’ve taken big steps in the right direction in the last year,” De Minaur told ATPTour.com in Rotterdam. “I’ve improved as a player. Reaching the quarter-finals in the past four Slams is something I don’t take lightly. It’s a great platform to build on, and I want more.”
Reflecting on last season, De Minaur acknowledged both his success and struggles. “A lot happened last year. I was injured for a significant part of the season, yet I still managed to achieve some great results. This year, my goal is to stay healthy and maintain that trajectory. Hopefully, that will lead to even bigger and better things. I don’t think I’ve hit my ceiling yet, and that’s exciting. I’m looking forward to what this year has in store.”
During the Australian Open, De Minaur became a focal point of national attention. His face adorned billboards across Melbourne, and host broadcaster Channel 9 closely followed his progress. He played all five of his matches on Rod Laver Arena, marking the first time he had competed exclusively on the major’s center court.
Thriving in the spotlight, De Minaur acknowledged the added mental pressure that comes with it. “It’s funny how things change. A couple of years ago, I was ranked No. 11 or 12. Moving up just one or two spots makes such a big difference in terms of media attention, pressure, and expectations,” he said. “But over the years, I’ve felt more love and support from Australia.”
De Minaur embraced the challenge of competing at his home Slam, understanding the weight of expectations. “The spotlight is there. It’s the start of the season, and it’s my home Slam. There’s nothing I want more than to perform well in front of my home fans, family, and friends. Playing on Rod Laver Arena in front of packed crowds is exciting, but it also comes with the expectation that you should win.”
With the Australian leg of the season now over, De Minaur is preparing for a quieter period as the Tour shifts to other parts of the world. While he will spend extended periods away from family and friends, he finds solace in having his fiancée, WTA star Katie Boulter, by his side. The two got engaged during the off-season, and De Minaur revealed that Boulter helps him stay grounded while on the road.
“Being with Katie definitely makes the time away from home easier,” he said. “We spend long stints on the road, so it’s important to create a sense of normalcy wherever we are. Going out for dinners, having coffee, and exploring different cities makes a big difference. Surrounding yourself with friends, teammates, and fellow players helps time pass more quickly during these long trips. Tennis is intense and requires focus, but outside of it, I try to immerse myself in new experiences and live as normal a life as possible.”
De Minaur enters the ABN AMRO Open as the third seed. Currently ranked No. 8 in the PIF ATP Rankings, he reached the final of this indoor ATP 500 event last year. His first-round opponent is 2017 finalist David Goffin, who trails De Minaur 0-5 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
