Alex de Minaur One Win Away from Surpassing Novak Djokovic in Rankings
Alex de Minaur is on the verge of a career milestone, as the Australian No. 1 is just one win away from leapfrogging Novak Djokovic in the ATP world rankings after reaching the Rotterdam Open quarter-finals.
The 25-year-old Aussie has been in red-hot form, overcoming Daniel Altmaier in straight sets to advance. His dominance was evident as he converted four of eight break points, showcasing his ruthless efficiency.
De Minaur’s Rise in the Rankings
De Minaur’s consistency has been a hallmark of his game, with an incredible 29-1 record in his last 30 matches against players ranked outside the top 10.
- With his latest win, he has overtaken Daniil Medvedev in the rankings.
- If he defeats Mattia Bellucci, he could climb to World No. 6, surpassing Djokovic.
Despite facing criticism for struggling against top-ranked players, de Minaur’s steady rise proves he is one of the most consistent performers on tour.
De Minaur Reflects on His Form
After his win, de Minaur acknowledged the mental and physical battle on court. A key moment came when he won a grueling rally on break point, swinging the momentum in his favor.
“I just told myself to back myself in that rally. It was an incredible rally, which went my way, and obviously gave me a lot of confidence serving out the match with new balls.”
“It felt like a battle—with my opponent, the conditions, a little bit of everything out there. I’m happy I managed to get up for it, play good tennis, and dig deep when I needed to.”
The Impact of Katie Boulter
De Minaur also revealed that British No. 1 Katie Boulter, his girlfriend, has been a big influence in helping him handle the pressures of the tour.
“It definitely does help the weeks that I’m with Katie. It makes it a lot easier to be so far away from home. These are long stints on the road.”
To maintain a sense of normalcy, de Minaur emphasized the importance of finding balance:
“It’s important to go out for dinners, have coffees, and make life as normal as possible. Whether it’s friends, players, or my team, that’s the best way to make time go quicker in these long stints.”
What’s Next?
De Minaur now faces Mattia Bellucci in the Rotterdam quarter-finals. A victory would be a massive statement, not just in rankings but also in silencing his critics.
With his confidence soaring and his game peaking, de Minaur is proving that he is a legitimate force on the ATP Tour—and he’s just getting started.
