By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday April 10, 2025
Picture Supply: Mark Peterson/ Corleve
Alex de Minaur has by no means had any downside staying motivated. However followers is likely to be shocked to be taught what’s presently driving the person generally known as “The Demon.”
After his 6-2, 6-2 takedown of Daniil Medvedev the Aussie mentioned that his impending marriage ceremony to British star Katie Boulter is the present impetus for his insatiable starvation on court docket.
“Realistically, what’s driving me for the time being is making an attempt to earn some large bucks for this marriage ceremony funds,” De Minaur advised Tennis Channel on Thursday. “That is the one factor on my thoughts – making an attempt to win as many matches as I can, as a result of I’ve began to take a look at venues and it is costly. I can inform you that.”
Leaving No Stone Unturned
Jokes apart, De Minaur made the Prime 10 for the primary time in 2024, and he says the expertise – and aftermath – has solely left him wanting extra.
Accidents struck on the incorrect time final 12 months, as he suffered a hip damage at Wimbledon, and he couldn’t put forth the all-out physicality that he had change into identified for.
Now main the tour with 19 up to now this season, The Sydney native isn’t taking that granted in 2025.
“Simply having that starvation – starvation and drive,” he mentioned. “It is at all times there, however on the finish of final 12 months, placing myself within the place the place I’ve wished to be for therefore lengthy, however not being bodily one hundred pc, it actually gave me loads of drive and starvation within the preseason.
“As quickly as I used to be carried out with Turin and Davis Cup I took two days off, and I went straight into preseason, and I simply wished to maintain on enhancing and hold that momentum. I noticed all of the issues I used to be capable of do with out being at my peak bodily, so for me, it was all about getting again to one hundred pc well being after which simply taking part in on momentum and seeing what I might obtain this 12 months.”
Demon on Clay? Nonetheless a Demon
The Aussie has labored exhausting to change into a extra authentic power on clay as properly. Previous to 2023, he was 15-20 on the floor. Since then he has gained 16 of 26 matches, together with 2-0 this 12 months and 12-5 because the begin of 2024.
De Minaur says his willingness to hit with extra trajectory and create extra angles has been a giant distinction maker.
“I’ve actually discovered my toes the final couple years and actually began to know what makes me efficient on a clay court docket,” he mentioned. “The primary couple years of my profession on the play, I wasn’t very efficient. I wasn’t actually snug on this floor; it is taken some time to lastly perceive.”
The present World No.10, who will face both Grigor Dimitrov or Alejandro Tabilo within the quarterfinals at Monte-Carlo, says he nonetheless tries to be aggressive, however not with out loads of warning constructed into his rallies.
“I’d say in all probability the most important distinction is peak and spin,” he mentioned. “Pure floor strikes are finally quite a bit heavier. I am trying to open up the court docket with angles and depth.
“On a hardcourt my pure floor stroke is already efficient, as it’s fairly flat, however on the clay, it is quite a bit much less efficient, and I would like to seek out alternative ways to harm my opponent, and that is with loads of selection, with pace, peak, angles, depth and nonetheless being aggressive at any time when I can.”
