Alex de Minaur, the world No. 9, has long been celebrated for his lightning speed and relentless defense, earning the nickname “Speed Demon.” However, his commanding performance at the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open has ignited discussions about whether the Australian is transforming into a “servebot”—a player who dominates with a powerful, high-percentage serve. Following his 6-4, 6-2 third-round thrashing of Denis Shapovalov on April 26, Tennis Channel analysts and fans alike are buzzing about De Minaur’s evolving game, particularly his serve, which has become a surprising weapon on the fast Madrid clay.
In his second-round match against Lorenzo Sonego, De Minaur won 89% of first-serve points and struck one ace, breaking serve four times in a swift 75-minute 6-2, 6-3 rout. Against Shapovalov, he maintained an 87% first-serve point win rate, dropping just nine points on serve and facing no break points. These stats, coupled with his ability to dictate points from the baseline, suggest a shift from his defensive roots. “I’m being more aggressive, hurting opponents in different ways,” De Minaur told The Guardian, hinting at a deliberate effort to bolster his serve and offensive play.
However, calling De Minaur a “servebot”—a term typically reserved for towering players like John Isner or Reilly Opelka, who rely on booming serves—might be premature. At 6’0” and 152 pounds, De Minaur lacks the physicality of traditional servebots. His serve, while improved, isn’t yet a lethal weapon like theirs. During the 2025 Australian Open, opponent Alex Michelsen noted, “Alex’s serve is not at the level of some others on tour,” emphasizing De Minaur’s strength lies in his court coverage and consistency rather than raw serving power. De Minaur himself acknowledged his first-serve percentage dipped below 50% in that match, far from serve-bot territory, though he hit a career-high 215 km/h serve.
De Minaur’s clay-court prowess in 2025—semifinals in Monte Carlo, quarterfinals in Barcelona, and now a deep Madrid run—shows he’s adapting his game to the surface. His serve improvements, including better placement and variety, complement his elite movement. “I’ve worked hard on my lower body and shot power,” he told Puntodebreak, explaining his newfound confidence on clay. Yet, his nine unforced errors against Sonego and perfect 4-0 head-to-head against Shapovalov highlight his tactical discipline, not just a reliance on serving.
Fiancée Katie Boulter, cheering enthusiastically from the stands, has been a key motivator. Her presence, coupled with their engagement in December 2024, seems to fuel De Minaur’s focus. “Katie’s my rock,” he said post-match, crediting her support for his mental edge. As he prepares to face either Daniil Medvedev or Arthur Fils in the fourth round, De Minaur’s serve will face a sterner test. Medvedev’s return game and Fils’ aggressive baseline play could expose any weaknesses. [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_de_Minaur)
While De Minaur’s serve is undeniably sharper—evidenced by his high first-serve win percentages and ability to hold comfortably in Madrid—it’s not yet the defining feature of his game. His evolution reflects a balanced approach, blending enhanced serving with his trademark speed and grit. “The work never stops,” De Minaur told ATP Tour, underscoring his commitment to all facets of his game. For now, he’s not a servebot but a versatile contender who’s making opponents rethink their strategies on clay.
