Melbourne, Australia — As the last local hope standing at the 2025 Australian Open, the weight of a nation’s expectations rests firmly on the shoulders of Alex de Minaur. But if the 24-year-old feels any pressure, he certainly isn’t showing it.
After dispatching 30th seed Francisco Cerundolo in four sets on Saturday, De Minaur finds himself in a familiar position – the fourth round of his home Grand Slam. It’s a stage he’s reached in each of the last three years, only to fall painfully short of that elusive quarterfinal breakthrough.
But there’s a growing sense that 2025 could finally be De Minaur’s year. Seeded a career-high 8th and competing in sublime form, the stars seem to be aligning for an deep run at Melbourne Park.
A History of Heartbreak
De Minaur’s fourth round exits at the Australian Open have become something of a cruel tradition. In 2022, he was outclassed by then 11th seed Jannik Sinner. A year later, it was a brutal straight sets defeat to Novak Djokovic. Last year, De Minaur fought valiantly for over four hours against 5th seed Andrey Rublev, only to come up agonizingly short.
Those losses would be tough for any player to swallow. But for an Australian, at your home Slam, with a nation willing you on? They cut that much deeper. Yet if those defeats have left any scars, De Minaur isn’t letting them show.
I’ve learnt so much. I’m playing with a lot more confidence. I’m doing all the right things.
Alex de Minaur
Stronger Than Ever
There’s no question that this version of De Minaur is a vastly superior player to the one that’s faltered in the Round of 16 in recent years. A breakout 2024 season saw the Aussie claim titles in Acapulco and ‘s-Hertogenbosch, reach the quarterfinals at the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open, and vault into the world’s top 10 for the first time.
That success didn’t come without adversity. De Minaur had to battle through a hip injury sustained in his Wimbledon quarterfinal, an ailment that ultimately forced him out of the Paris Olympics. But he rebounded with trademark grit and determination.
The legs, they’re back. It’s been a long six months, but geez it feels good.
Alex de Minaur after his third round win
The Road Ahead
To finally reach the quarterfinals at his home Slam, De Minaur will first have to navigate a fourth round clash with the giant-killing Alex Michelsen. The American sensationally knocked out 4th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in Round 1, blowing the Aussie’s quarter of the draw wide open.
Should he pass that test, a likely date with reigning champion and world No.1 Jannik Sinner awaits. It’s a daunting prospect, but one a battle-hardened De Minaur will relish.
As Australian tennis players, we want to do everything we can to play some of our best tennis. I’m going to do my best to hopefully play a lot of matches here, win a lot of matches. Yeah, do Australia proud.
Alex de Minaur
In many ways, it feels like we’ve seen this Alex de Minaur movie before. The plucky Aussie, carrying the hopes of a nation, fighting valiantly but ultimately falling short at Melbourne Park. But this year’s script has a distinctly different feel.
De Minaur has never entered an Australian Open in better form or with a more favorable draw. The hip troubles of 2024 are firmly behind him. At 24, he’s in the prime of his career. A maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal, at his home major no less, has never felt more within reach.
Is this the year Alex de Minaur finally breaks through that fourth round glass ceiling? A nation waits with bated breath, daring to dream that their long wait for a men’s champion could soon be over. One thing’s for sure – win or lose, “Demon” will leave it all out there on the court.
