- Alex de Minaur caused a stunning shock in Melbourne
- The Australian defeated Carlos Alcaraz on Wednesday
- It is the perfect preparation for the Australian Open
Alex de Minaur is calling on home fans to ‘bring the noise’ after adding Spanish prodigy Carlos Alcaraz to his growing list of prized pre-Australian Open scalps.
A near-capacity crowd almost raised the roof of Rod Laver Arena as they celebrated De Minaur’s thrilling victory over the world No. 2 and reigning Wimbledon champion on Wednesday night.
While De Minaur will receive no ranking points for the 6-4 5-7 10-3 win in a thrilling tiebreak, Australia’s big Open hope will have gained immeasurable confidence after knocking out another true tennis giant.
‘Yes, look, I’m very happy. My level is in a good place coming into Melbourne,” de Minaur said after last week’s wins over 10-time Melbourne Park champion Novak Djokovic and world No. 6 Alexander Zverev with a first defeat to Open second seed Alcaraz . .
‘I had a good 2024. It’s been really good for me, so hopefully I can keep it going.”
Alex de Minaur secured another big scalp ahead of the Australian Open
The Australian defeated Carlos Alcaraz in a charity match on Wednesday evening
De Minaur has now recorded nine wins over top-10 rivals in the last 12 months and will head to the Open dreaming big ahead of the first Grand Slam of the season starting on Sunday.
“I heard a pretty good quote: ‘How big would you dream if you knew you couldn’t fail?’ So that’s kind of been the motto,” the 24-year-old said.
“I push myself every day and hopefully the sky is the limit.”
The fan favorite and the first Australian since his idol Lleyton Hewitt in 2006 to reach the top 10 in the world will be hoping the home fans can give him as much energy at the Open as they did his current Davis Cup captain to the final of 2005 in Melbourne.
“I mean, the louder the better,” he said.
‘I want to feel all the energy. I do my best for you every time and yes, let’s bring the sound.”
Wednesday night’s match may have been for charity, but the fist gestures, cursing and intensity of both fighters indicated that neither of the two fierce competitors wanted to lose.
Playing is the first match of the summer, Alcaraz could have been forgiven if he called early in the evening after trailing by a set and 4-1.
De Minaur has prepared well for the tournament and defeated Novak Djokovic last week
Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz cuts a dejected figure in defeat
Instead, he raised his game to break de Minaur twice to take the second set and force the match tiebreak.
De Minaur could also have easily rolled over after suffering the disappointment of losing a match point in the second set.
Instead, he hit back to seal the win with the point of the match with a curling top-spin lob that Alcaraz could barely get a touch on.
Despite the defeat, the 20-year-old Alcaraz said the practice outing provided him with the perfect platform to launch his Open attack on Sunday.
“There’s no better way to, let’s say, warm up or prepare than to play this match against Alex,” he said.
“I was on course, so I think I’m preparing.”