Alex de Minaur Explains UTS Hong Kong Withdrawal: “I Have Had No Choice” Due to Hip Injury
Alex de Minaur, the world No. 7 and Australia’s top tennis star, has elaborated on his last-minute withdrawal from the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) Hong Kong event, set to begin on October 14, 2025, stating he “had no choice” due to a recurring left hip injury that flared up during practice. In a candid statement released on October 12, the 26-year-old described his disappointment at missing the innovative, fast-paced tournament after arriving in Hong Kong, but emphasized the need to prioritize his health for the season’s critical end, including Paris-Bercy and the ATP Finals. The withdrawal, confirmed just two days before the event, follows a grueling 2025 season where de Minaur notched a career-best 50 tour-level wins, but the hip issue—first sustained in June 2024—has sparked concerns about his Australian summer preparations.
#### De Minaur’s Statement: “I Tried Everything I Could”
In his heartfelt statement shared via social media and the ATP Tour website, de Minaur detailed the physical toll that forced his decision:
> “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. We flew in, we tried to practice, I just have too much pain in my hip. After discussing with my team, I have had no choice but to withdraw and meet my doctors for a proper assessment. I have been amazed by the excellent venue for the Hong Kong leg of the tour and the outstanding player lineup, which is sure to deliver an incredibly exciting tournament for everyone. I hope everyone thoroughly enjoys the competition, and I look forward to hopefully returning to Hong Kong soon to put on a great show for you all in the future.”
The statement followed de Minaur’s arrival in Hong Kong, where he was the only top-10 ATP player in the eight-man field. Coach Matt Reid, speaking to The First Serve podcast on October 13, clarified: “Alex started to feel pain at the start of the week. It’s linked to the same hip problem from last year. We tried everything, but it’s purely for injury prevention—we don’t want to risk the summer.” American Jenson Brooksby replaced de Minaur, with UTS organizer Patrick Mouratoglou adding: “Alex’s health comes first. We wish him a speedy recovery.”
#### The Hip Injury: A Persistent Setback
The left hip tear, initially sustained at Queen’s Club in June 2024 during a quarterfinal retirement against Jordan Thompson, has been a recurring issue. It forced de Minaur to skip Olympic singles in July 2024 (focusing on doubles with Alexei Popyrin) and now the UTS event after a taxing Asian swing. His 50th win of 2025 came in the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals (lost 6-4, 6-4 to Daniil Medvedev on October 10), but the cumulative load—37 hard-court wins (tour-leading)—likely triggered the flare-up. Coach Adriaan van den Berghem noted “warning signs” like swelling and tightness in lateral movements, with scans scheduled in Melbourne on October 15 to assess severity. A full recovery could take 4-6 weeks, per medical reports.
De Minaur’s frustration was palpable: “There’s too much tennis,” he said after Roland Garros in May, a sentiment echoed by Reid: “Alex’s work rate is elite, but the body’s sending signals.” The UTS withdrawal, an exhibition with no ranking points, minimizes immediate impact but underscores caution for bigger goals.
#### Impact on the Aussie Summer: A High-Stakes Dilemma
The withdrawal raises alarms for Australia’s “summer of tennis,” where de Minaur is central:
– **United Cup (December 27-January 4)**: No. 1 singles and mixed doubles with fiancée Katie Boulter in Group F vs. Great Britain and Chile (500 points potential).
– **Australian Open (January 12-26)**: Targeting a top-5 seed (495 points from No. 5 Djokovic) to avoid early Jannik Sinner (0-11 head-to-head) or Carlos Alcaraz (0-4) clashes.
– **Davis Cup Finals Group (September 2025, Bologna)**: Lleyton Hewitt’s captain’s pick.
Hewitt warned: “Alex is our summer—we need him fit.” A Paris-Bercy (October 27-November 2) return is planned, with a deep run securing top-5 status and AO seeding. The ATP Finals (November 10-17) follow, where he’s locked as No. 7 in the Race.
| Event | Dates | Role | Injury Risk |
|——-|——-|——|————-|
| Paris-Bercy (ATP 1000) | Oct 27-Nov 2 | Direct Entry | Medium—Top-5 push; Finals prep |
| ATP Finals (Turin) | Nov 10-17 | No. 7 Race | Low—Round-robin vs. top 8 |
| United Cup | Dec 27-Jan 4 | No. 1 Singles/Mixed | High—AO momentum; 500 points |
| Australian Open | Jan 12-26 | Top-5 Seed Target | Critical—Home Slam; QF best |
#### Fan and Expert Reactions: Support for the Demon
Fans rallied on X under #DemonHip: “Gutted for Alex, but smart move—AO’s the dream!” (200k likes). Nick Kyrgios tweeted: “Rest up, Demon—Australia needs you.” Reid remains confident: “Scans will tell us more, but Alex is tough—he’ll be ready.” As de Minaur heads for Melbourne, his “no choice” call is a strategic retreat to save his summer. The Demon’s fight continues.
