In a thrilling prelude to the Australian Open, Alex de Minaur continues to make waves in the tennis world by claiming another prized scalp, this time against Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz. The Australian tennis star, already riding high on recent victories over Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev, delighted a near-capacity crowd at Rod Laver Arena with an electrifying exhibition win over the reigning Wimbledon champion.
Despite the match being a charitable event and not contributing to rankings points, de Minaur’s triumph in the thrilling encounter was a significant confidence boost for the 24-year-old. In a post-match interview, he expressed his satisfaction with his current form, stating, “My level is in a good spot coming into Melbourne. I’ve had a good 2024. It’s been very good to me, so hopefully I can keep it going.”
De Minaur’s recent victories have not only showcased his skill but also marked his ninth win over top-10 rivals in the past 12 months. The Australian, who is the first from his country to crack the world’s top 10 since Lleyton Hewitt in 2006, is now setting his sights high for the upcoming Australian Open.
Inspired by a motivational quote, de Minaur shared, “I heard a pretty good quote: ‘How big would you dream if you knew you couldn’t fail?’ So that’s kind of been the motto. I’m pushing myself every day and hopefully the sky’s the limit.”
Expressing his desire for strong fan support, de Minaur urged home fans to bring the noise at the Australian Open, hoping to draw energy from the crowd in a manner reminiscent of Lleyton Hewitt’s memorable 2005 final in Melbourne.
“I mean, the louder, the better,” he said. “I wanna feel all the energy. I’m doing my best for you guys every time and, yeah, let’s bring the noise.”
The exhibition match against Alcaraz was marked by intense competition, with both players displaying fist-pumping enthusiasm and a fierce determination to win. Despite the charitable nature of the event, the match provided a glimpse into the competitive spirit that both athletes carry into every encounter.
For Alcaraz, the match served as an ideal warm-up for the Australian Open, offering him valuable preparation ahead of the tournament. Despite the defeat, the 20-year-old Spanish sensation remarked, “There’s not a better way to, let’s say, warm up or get ready than playing against Alex in this match. I was on course, so I think I’m getting ready.”
As the tennis world eagerly anticipates the start of the Australian Open, Alex de Minaur’s recent victories and unwavering determination have positioned him as a formidable contender, ready to make a significant impact on the grand slam stage. The stage is set for an exciting tournament, with de Minaur aiming to turn his dreams into reality on the Melbourne courts.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2024
WLLWLWWWWW Currently ranked no.2, Alcaraz played his last match on the 18th of November 2023 when he was overcome by world no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-2 in the semifinal in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
Currently, during this season Carlos has managed to achieve a compiled 65-12 record.
Alcaraz will compete next at the Australian Open (Australian Open). He will start from the main draw that will commence on the 14th of January.
Alex De Minaur in 2024
Currently ranked no.10 (career-high), Alex played his last match on the 6th of January when he overcame world no.6 Alexander Zverev 5-7 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal in Australia (draw).
Currently, during this season De Minaur has managed to achieve a compiled 3-1 match record. Alex De Minaur’s latest run in Australia was the best achievement of his season.
De Minaur has scheduled to compete next at the Australian Open (Australian Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 14th of January.
Carlos Alcaraz and Alex De Minaur clashed against each other just twice. Their actual record is 2-0 for Alcaraz. Previously, the last time they locked horns, Carlos Alcaraz won 6-4 6-4 in the final in London (Cinch Championships) in June 2023.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
Carlos Alcaraz and Alex De Minaur |
| Embed from Getty Images |
