Jannik Sinner Drops Truth Bomb on Alex de Minaur: “He’s a Hell of a Player”
Jannik Sinner, the world No. 2 Italian and two-time 2025 Grand Slam champion, has delivered a candid assessment of his one-sided rivalry with Alex de Minaur ahead of their Vienna Open semi-final on October 25, acknowledging the Australian as “a hell of a player” who is “not a bad matchup—it’s that he’s a pretty good player, right?” The 24-year-old’s comments, made during a press conference on October 24 after his 6-4, 6-4 quarter-final win over Alexander Bublik, highlight de Minaur’s resilience despite Sinner’s 11-0 head-to-head dominance, including a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 semi-final victory at the China Open in September. Sinner’s praise, while respectful, underscores the psychological edge he holds, as de Minaur seeks his first win over the Italian in their 10th meeting.
The Rivalry: Sinner’s 11-0 Edge and de Minaur’s Fight
Sinner leads 11-0 lifetime, with 6-0 on indoor hard courts—the surface for Vienna. De Minaur has taken sets in recent clashes (e.g., 2025 Beijing 6-3, 4-6, 6-2; 2024 Australian Open 6-3, 6-2, 6-1), but Sinner’s serve (80% first-serve points won this week) and baseline depth have proven insurmountable. “Alex fights hard—he’s tough, but I’m focused,” Sinner said, crediting de Minaur’s speed as his biggest threat. De Minaur, 26 and No. 7, replied: “Jannik’s the benchmark—I’m ready to fight; nothing to lose.”
De Minaur’s Vienna run: 6-4, 6-1 vs. Rodionov (R1), 6-1, 7-6(7-4) vs. Berrettini (QF). Sinner’s: 6-0, 6-2 vs. Altmaier (R1), 6-4, 6-4 vs. Bublik (QF).
| Player | 2025 Hard-Court Wins | H2H vs. Opponent | Vienna Avg |
|——–|———————-|——————|————|
| **Jannik Sinner** | 34-3 (92%) | 11-0 | 102.5 |
| Alex de Minaur | 37-5 (88%) | 0-11 | 98.7 |
Prediction and Stakes
Sinner’s indoor dominance (19 straight wins) makes him the favorite (83% win probability), but de Minaur’s fight could force three sets. **Prediction: Sinner 6-4, 7-6**. A de Minaur win earns 330 points and top-5 year-end push; Sinner’s advances his No. 1 bid.
The semi-final, not before 3 p.m. CEST (10 a.m. ET), is must-watch—de Minaur’s “ready” roar vs. Sinner’s serene storm. The Demon’s hunt continues.
