Do you think Alex de Minaur lacks the tools to compete with the very best in tennis? Think again!
- Sport
- Tennis
- Australian Open
Opinion
January 26, 2026 — 1.05pm
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Throughout his career, a metaphorical glass ceiling has loomed over Alex de Minaur, but it’s certainly not a result of his own shortcomings.
There seems to be an ongoing fixation on defining what de Minaur is not, alongside a belief that he will never reach certain heights. However, this narrative might be flawed, especially considering how the athlete known as "Demon" continually delights in shattering these preconceived notions.
“I understand there are many who doubt my abilities,” de Minaur expressed just a few nights ago.
Currently ranked No. 6 in the world, he doesn’t subscribe to the idea that drawing motivation from critics is detrimental to his performance. He draws inspiration from various sources, but it’s clear that his inner drive is also exceptionally strong.
Critics often praise and then dismiss de Minaur almost simultaneously; he’s well aware of the mixed messages surrounding him. Common phrases like “Demon doesn’t possess the weapons to defeat the elite” or “I admire Demon, but he’s just a gritty Aussie fighter” resonate frequently in discussions about his gameplay. Additionally, there’s the simplistic and somewhat patronizing label of him being merely a “maximiser,” which implies limitations in his capabilities.
However, let’s not forget that this so-called battler has reached the quarter-finals of seven Grand Slam tournaments as of Sunday night after a commanding victory over the in-form Kazakh player Alexander Bublik in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Rod Laver Arena.
De Minaur methodically dismantled a competitor who had previously bested him twice last year, including a stunning comeback from two sets down at Roland-Garros. Remarkably, in his last ten major appearances, the only time he did not at least reach the round of 16 was during that encounter. His consistency is impressive, and he is undeniably improving.
This summer, de Minaur showcases a noticeably evolved game filled with newfound confidence—a trait cultivated from spending most of the past two years within the top 10 and leading the tour in hardcourt victories last year.
One of the most significant developments in his arsenal is his serve, once criticized, which has now transformed into a formidable weapon. If you doubt this transformation, just ask Bublik or Frances Tiafoe, who both struggled significantly to return his serves effectively.
Moreover, a crucial advancement in de Minaur’s game involves winning more pivotal rallies that consist of zero to four shots, moving away from solely relying on outlasting his opponents. He excelled in this metric against both Tiafoe and Bublik—two players many believed would overpower him.
After his win against Hamad Medjedovic, another powerful hitter, in the second round, de Minaur confidently stated, “I’m currently No.6 in the world, right? I’ve reached this status because I can play some serious tennis, too.”
De Minaur’s historical record against top-10 players, particularly in Grand Slam events, understandably raises some eyebrows. For instance, he suffered 16 consecutive losses to such competitors before finally defeating Taylor Fritz at the ATP Tour Finals in Turin last November. This victory marked his first win at this prestigious event in his second year of qualifying for it, providing a much-needed boost to his self-belief.
His triumph over Bublik was only his second victory against a top-10 player at a Grand Slam, weighed against ten losses, indicating that he still has more to prove.
What better opportunity is there to demonstrate his capabilities than facing the world No. 1 and six-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals on Tuesday? If de Minaur secures a win, it would not only shatter the glass ceiling hovering over him but also silence a plethora of critics.
Of course, if he doesn’t succeed, the naysayers will be waiting to pounce.
There lies a potential middle ground: even if de Minaur loses, if he maintains competitiveness—more so than he has in past encounters against heavyweights like Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner—it could reflect positively on his growth.
When asked post-match about what message he would convey to those hoping for a breakthrough in his seventh major quarter-final, de Minaur wisely replied that it wasn't his role to provide reassurance; he prefers to let his game speak for itself.
And indeed, his recent performances have been eloquently speaking volumes.
It remains to be seen if de Minaur can carry on the legacy of hope for Australia, as well as for himself, in breaking a 50-year drought for men’s titles. It’s high time we shifted the conversation from what he can’t achieve to contemplating all that he is capable of accomplishing.
