At the age of 12, Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur was faced with a life-changing decision.
While his friends at school and in tennis circles often played computer games in their free time, De Minaur had to make a brutal phone call that also affected his family – whether in Australia or Spain.
Luckily for Australian tennis fans, ‘Demon’ chose his native country and got to work.
He chose a life that many are simply not suited for: first training on the track every morning, then a session in the gym, followed by distance learning, a second period on the track and finally more time in the gym.
It was brutal. And unrelenting for the boy who also showed promise as a golfer and footballer, such is his athleticism.
At the age of 12, Alex de Minaur was faced with a life-changing decision – fortunately for tennis fans in Australia, he chose his native country
Alex De Minaur’s rise has been impressive: he is now in the men’s ATP top 10, the first Australian to achieve the feat since Lleyton Hewitt in the early 2000s.
‘Demon’ has also found love in fellow professional, England’s Katie Boulter (pictured left)
But it made De Minaur the man he is today: Australia’s first male player in twenty years (since Lleyton Hewitt) to break into the world’s top ten.
He was also selected for the Davis Cup when he was just 18 years old, competing against German Alexander Zverev, who was then ranked fourth in the world.
De Minaur lost in five sets and admits that the defeat still haunts him.
And while he doesn’t have Nick Kyrgios’ serve as a standout weapon, De Minaur’s basic game and desire to improve has won him legions of fans around the world.
Even more so on the Australian coasts.
The 24-year-old also has the respect of the top players on tour, many of whom he has defeated in recent years.
It’s an impressive list, including Rafael Nadal, Andrey Rublev, Taylor Fritz, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev.
At the recent United Cup in Perth, De Minaur’s biggest career scalp was – world number one Novak Djokovic, in straight sets.
Novak Djokovic was impressed by Alex de Minaur during the United Cup, stating that he was ‘just very solid, as he always is’
Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz was also recently defeated by Alex de Minaur in a practice match ahead of the Australian Open
Australian tennis great Lleyton Hewitt served as a mentor to Alex de Minaur for a long time
De Minaur will hold the country’s hopes at the Australian Open for the next two weeks, but is relishing the pressure.
It’s not a burden, it’s a privilege for the man who politely rejected several approaches from the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation as he began to plot his sporting career.
The proud Australian has also not forgotten the financial support he received from Tennis Australia.
Off the court he has found love with fellow tennis professional Katie Boulter, and the couple plan to move in together this year.
In London, of course, close to the Wimbledon courts.
“I wasn’t given a great body, or a great talent, or the ability to achieve things without working for them,” De Minaur said. The age.
“My family has made a lot of sacrifices for me to be where I am today, and I consider myself the breadwinner.
‘In tennis I like that you have to solve problems to beat your opponent, you can’t rely on anyone else. “It’s all about being tough in the moment, finding ways and digging deep. There’s no place to hide.’
De Minaur has yet to progress beyond the fourth round of his home slam, but you can be sure his team will deliver the message that records are meant to be broken.
And he is living proof why you should never give up: until recently, De Minaur’s record against the top five of the ATP circuit was 0-18.
But he kept grinding and was eventually rewarded.
De Minaur faces Canadian great Milos Raonic on January 15 for a place in the second round at Melbourne Park.