Alex de Minaur, Australia’s top-ranked tennis player, expressed a mix of pride and ambition following his withdrawal from the 2025 French Open due to a hip injury, stating, “I’ve taken big steps but I want more,” in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald on May 22, 2025. The world No. 9, nicknamed “Demon,” reflected on his career-best 2024 season, which included a Roland Garros quarterfinal run and titles in Acapulco and ‘s-Hertogenbosch, but emphasized his hunger for greater achievements, particularly a Grand Slam title. “I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I’m not satisfied. I want to be competing for the biggest titles,” he said.
De Minaur’s hip injury, aggravated during a practice session in Paris after initially surfacing at the Australian Open, forced him to miss Roland Garros, starting May 25, 2025, where he was drawn to face Christopher Eubanks and potentially Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals. Despite the setback, he remains optimistic, noting, “This gives me time to recover properly and come back stronger for Wimbledon.” His 2025 clay season showed progress, with a Rome quarterfinal and a Madrid third-round exit, but he believes he’s “still a few steps away” from challenging top players like Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz consistently on clay.
Fans on X, such as @TennisAus, rallied behind de Minaur’s ambition, with one post stating, “Demon’s drive is unreal—already a top-10 star, but he’s eyeing the top.” His partnership with fiancée Katie Boulter, who also withdrew from Strasbourg due to fatigue, has bolstered his mental resilience, with de Minaur crediting her support for his growth. As he shifts focus to rehabilitation in Sydney, de Minaur’s determination to “want more” signals his intent to return stronger for the grass season, aiming to surpass his 2024 Wimbledon quarterfinal and contend for a maiden Major.
