“Why not me?” That’s the mindset Alex de Minaur is embracing as he steps onto the court for the 2025 Australian Open, determined to break through and claim his first Grand Slam title. With the home crowd behind him and a series of strong performances in 2024, the 25-year-old Aussie is confident that this could be his moment.
“I’ve been working hard, I’ve been improving, and I’ve been knocking on the door. Now, it’s about believing I can take that next step,” De Minaur said when asked about his mindset going into the tournament. “There’s no reason I can’t win it all—why not me?”
De Minaur has proven that he can compete with the best. In 2024, he reached the quarter-finals at three of the four Grand Slams and defeated some of the sport’s top names, including Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, and Alexander Zverev. While he hasn’t yet made it to a Grand Slam final, his growing confidence and ability to stay calm in pressure moments are key reasons why he feels this year could be different.
“I think the mental side of the game is where I’ve made the biggest strides. When you get to this level, it’s not just about hitting the ball well—it’s about staying strong mentally, believing in yourself, and handling the big moments,” De Minaur added.
As the eighth seed, De Minaur’s draw at Melbourne Park sets him up well for a deep run. And while the potential challenge of facing defending champion Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals looms, De Minaur’s recent success against top-ranked players has given him the belief that anything is possible.
With all of Australia rallying behind him and his determination sharper than ever, De Minaur enters the 2025 Australian Open with one clear goal: to lift the trophy and end his country’s 49-year drought. His message is simple: “Why not me?”
