Before Alex de Minaur’s early exit at the 2024 French Open, he faced a string of quarter-final defeats at major tournaments, with his most recent loss coming against Alexander Zverev in straight sets. Injuries plagued him, preventing a showdown with Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon, followed by further defeats against Jack Draper and Jannik Sinner at the US Open and Australian Open, respectively.
This raises the question of whether de Minaur can still emerge as Australia’s next Grand Slam champion or if this marks his peak. While many players strive without achieving a Slam victory—just 153 men and 130 women have won since 1877—de Minaur’s consistency in reaching the quarter-finals at four consecutive Grand Slams suggests he is a solid all-rounder who can excel on various surfaces.
Yet, his inability to frequently compete with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner indicates he hasn’t fully closed the gap on the sport’s elite. Notably, he holds a winless record against both players, illustrating the challenges he faces. Wally Masur, an Australian tennis legend, acknowledges de Minaur’s potential but highlights the dominance of Alcaraz and Sinner, who seem to stand apart from the competition.
As he gears up for Wimbledon, where he has historically performed well, de Minaur faces Spanish player Robert Carballes Baena in his opening match. Masur, who has closely followed de Minaur’s journey since he was a teenager, believes that with hard work and determination, he can push past his current limitations, even if the presence of powerful players complicates matters.
Despite not having achieved a Grand Slam title, de Minaur is set to be remembered as one of Australia’s finest, embodying the nation’s fighting spirit. His strong work ethic is acknowledged, but the sheer “easy power” of his competitors, like Djokovic, Sinner, and Alcaraz poses a significant challenge.
Going into Wimbledon, de Minaur feels optimistic after a necessary break to recharge and refocus. He expressed confidence in his performance on grass, which complements his game style, particularly with his effective serve that skids and stays low, making him a formidable opponent. With a record number of Australian players competing at Wimbledon, de Minaur leads the contingent, and the potential meeting with Djokovic in the fourth round looms.
While the road to a Grand Slam victory remains uncertain, de Minaur’s determination, skill, and resilience mark him as a player to watch in the coming tournaments.