Rising tennis star Alex de Minaur has claimed another significant victory on his way to the Australian Open, triumphing over fellow tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz.
The spirited 6-4, 5-7, 10-3 victory in a thrilling match tiebreaker adds another illustrious name to de Minaur’s list of conquests ahead of the Grand Slam.
While the match served a charitable cause, the on-court intensity, complete with fist-pumping and passionate exchanges, indicated a fierce desire for victory from both competitors. Alcaraz, facing a set and 4-1 deficit in his first summer match, displayed remarkable resilience, turning the tables to force a match tiebreaker.
De Minaur, not to be outdone, rebounded from the disappointment of missing a second-set match point. He secured the win with a masterful top-spin lob that left Alcaraz struggling to respond.
Reflecting on his recent successes against tennis giants like Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev, de Minaur expressed satisfaction with his form.
“Yeah, look, I’m extremely happy. My level is in a good spot coming into Melbourne,” he said.
“I’ve had a good 2024. It’s been very good to me, so hopefully I can keep it going.”
For Alcaraz, the exhibition match provided an ideal launchpad for his assault on the Australian Open.
“There’s not a better way to, let’s say, warm up or get ready than playing against against Alex in this match,” he said.
“I was on course, so I think I’m getting ready.”
Fans showered de Minaur with praise for his latest victory, applauding the Australian sensation for his relentless pursuit of victory and unwavering dominance on the court.
With nine victories over top-10 rivals in the past 12 months, de Minaur is carrying considerable momentum into the Grand Slam event. As the first Australian since Lleyton Hewitt in 2006 to break into the world’s top 10, he is banking on the support of home fans to elevate his game, drawing inspiration from Hewitt’s memorable run to the 2005 final in Melbourne.
Embracing an optimistic mindset, de Minaur shared a motivational quote, saying, “How big would you dream if you knew you couldn’t fail?”.
“That’s kind of been the motto,” the 24-year-old said.
Eager to push his limits, he expressed hopes that the sky is the limit for his aspirations, underlining his determination to make a significant impact at the upcoming Australian Open.
-with AAP.