Alex de Minaur will debut at the Olympic games this weekend as he walks onto to court to face Jan-Lennard Struff in an eagerly anticipated opening round tussle. He is part of an Australian team includes Ajla Tomljanovic, Matthew Ebden, Alexie Popyrin, Rinky Hijikata, John Peers, Ellen Perez, Daria Saville, and Olivia Gadecki. The World #6 has been embroiled in a fight against time to reach full fitness after pulling out of a Wimbledon quarterfinal clash against Novak Djokovic due to a freak hip injury. However, he has recovered well and will play in both the singles and doubles draw.
Alex de Minaur at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Potential path to final
de Minaur has had no lucky stars to count since the draw was revealed. Tpreach the final he will likely have to overcome Jan-Lennard Struff, Tommy Paul, Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud, and Novak Djokovic. The best strategy is to take it a match at a time, as it will be a major task to topple such an ominous line up. In the doubles where he will compete with Alexei Popyrin–he is also on a collision course with Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. He cannot catch a break.
Aussie Spirit
If there was any chance of him being able to participate in Paris, you can guarantee he was going to snatch it with both hands. There are some worries that he ha s rushed back too early. Hip injuries are no joke, just ask Andy Murray.
Alex de Minaur personifies the “Aussie spirit.” Throughout his career, he has grown in the famous yellow shirt. You can sense the pride it fills that it gives the 25-year-old. In tennis we often see players shrink with the weight of their country’s expectations, if anything he grows. He seems to gain an extra 10% in the team environment.
In the past couple of years he has been integral in the progress of the Australian Davis Cup team who finished runners up last season. Similarly, he has excelled on the ATP Cup stage by recording wins against Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal. Although, it is worth noting those victories had the helping of a home crowd.
Ceiling raise
de Minaur has come on leaps and bounds in the last twelve months. While he was previously a reliable player on tour, you always felt he had a ceiling that stopped him from making that next step to become a serious contender in the biggest of events. Moreover, he would consistently falter at Grand Slams with early exits a plenty at the likes of Wimbledon and Roland Garros.
A run to his first
Fitness issues
Nonetheless, we can’t hide from the dark cloud looming over Alex de Minaur this week. How near to full fitness can a man who suffered a hip cartilage tear just a month ago be? Even just a couple of percent below a hundred will be exploited. As mentioned, he maximizes every element of his talent and game. The Aussie is arguably the best mover on tour and has a very physical style based on wearing his opponent down. Admittedly, he has drastically improved his serve this season, which has coincided with his rise. Yet, particularly on the clay courts, anything off the maximum could be exploited.
Either way, he will be one to keep a close eye on. Despite his heightened status, he still stays out of the limelight on the big stage. Perhaps he likes it that way, he can go about his business without too much scrutiny. Should he turn up with a clean bill of health, another deep run could be possible.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
