Alex de Minaur is gearing up for the Australian Open, feeling confident despite a daunting first-round matchup against the powerful Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp. This grand slam marks a significant milestone for de Minaur, as he is seeded in the top eight for the first time, highlighting his rise in the sport.
Van de Zandschulp, while currently ranked 82nd, has previously achieved a ranking of 22 and has a notable victory over four-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz from the US Open last year. If de Minaur succeeds in his opening match, he will then face either a qualifier or Argentine player Federico Coria in the second round.
Potentially lurking in the third round for de Minaur is Francisco Cerundolo, the 31st ranked player from Argentina, while the last 16 could see him matched against last year's runner-up, Stefanos Tsitsipas. De Minaur reflects on his past performance, where he reached three consecutive grand slam quarter-finals, a feat not accomplished by an Australian since Lleyton Hewitt, and hopes to end the long-standing title drought at Melbourne Park.
Excited about playing on home soil, de Minaur shared his enthusiasm with fans at the ASICS Tennis Summit, expressing gratitude for their support. Meanwhile, other Australian competitors are also feeling the pressure, including Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson, who face tough early rounds.
For the women’s draw, promising teen Emerson Jones is set to make her debut against former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, while top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka aims for a title hat-trick against Sloane Stephens. Sabalenka expresses her desire to place her name among the sport's legends. Novak Djokovic, chasing his 25th grand slam singles title, is also set to play a wildcard in the opening round.
11 Comments
The Truth
Disappointed to see so many players withdraw due to injuries. It's a shame for the fans and the players themselves.
Answer
The Australian Open is always a fantastic event. Can't wait to soak up the atmosphere and watch some amazing tennis.
Jordan
Not impressed with de Minaur's draw. Van de Zandschulp is a tough first-round opponent, and the potential matchups later in the tournament look even harder.
Answer
Tired of hearing about de Minaur's three consecutive quarter-finals. Time to convert that into a semi-final or better.
Coccinella
The tournament organizers need to do more to promote the women's draw. It feels like the focus is always on the men.
Donatello
The food options at the tournament are overpriced and unhealthy. There needs to be more variety and affordable choices.
Comandante
Respect to Djokovic for getting a wildcard entry. He's a legend and deserves his chance to compete.
Bella Ciao
Can't wait to see Emerson Jones in action. She's the future of Australian tennis.
Mariposa
Aussie tennis is in good hands with players like de Minaur, Popyrin, and Thompson. The future is bright.
ZmeeLove
The Australian Open is a world-class event and the ticket prices reflect that. It's worth every penny to be a part of the experience.
Mariposa
Great to see so many young players getting the chance to compete at a Grand Slam.