“I would prefer the Monte-Carlo format”: Alex de Minaur honest in not being a fan of Madrid and Rome scheduling

Alex de Minaur is set to face Denis Shapovalov on Monday evening at the Madrid Open. Despite his strong recent form, the Australian made it clear he’s not a fan of the expanded format used at the Madrid and Rome Masters.

Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone at the Madrid Open, with quotes collected by The Tennis Gazette, De Minaur explained that he prefers the traditional one-week tournament structure, such as the Monte-Carlo Masters. In recent years, many ATP 1000 events have shifted toward two-week formats, which places an added burden on players’ schedules.

“Even though we don’t play every day, this Masters 1000 format forces us to stay in competition mode for a long time,” De Minaur said. “We have to maintain our routines, stay mentally focused, and constantly think about what we need to do to perform our best.”

He added: “Two consecutive Masters 1000 tournaments keep you in that mental space for a month. That’s why I would prefer the Monte Carlo format — you don’t have to rest between matches, and you know the tournament will wrap up in a week.”

De Minaur Thriving on Clay Despite Scheduling Challenges

While De Minaur is critical of the scheduling, it hasn’t slowed his momentum. Once considered vulnerable during the clay-court season — despite growing up playing in Spain — he has now developed into a serious contender on the surface.

“Three years ago, this part of the season was difficult for me because I couldn’t bring my usual level of competitiveness,” De Minaur reflected. “My goal was always to be consistent across all surfaces and to compete at my best every week of the year.”

Now, he feels he’s close to his best.

“I think I’m nearing my peak on clay. I see myself capable of beating anyone on this surface,” he said confidently.