Alex de Minaur's surprise move ahead of awkward showdown with girlfriend Katie Boulter
The Aussie superstar is already looking ahead to next year after a shock move.
Alex de Minaur has claimed he will be back to 100 per cent fitness at next year's Australian Open as he looks to compete at the United Cup - alongside partner Katie Boulter - as preparation for the grand slam is already underway. The Aussie World No.9 enjoyed one of his best seasons to date having made the end-of-year ATP Finals, despite a number of injury concerns.
De Minaur sustained a hip injury at Wimbledon - forcing him to withdraw from his match against Novak Djokovic - and it slightly derailed his season. The 25-year-old was impacted at the US Open and struggled to back-up his performances at the ATP Finals. He recently took part in the Davis Cup as Australia and Lleyton Hewitt went down to Italy.
However, de Minaur has surprised fans having made an appearance at the non-tour event the Ultimate Tennis Showdown this week. De Minaur made the decision to compete at the exhibition and claimed he is already looking ahead to the Australian Open and competing without pain.
The Aussie admitted he has really struggled at times with his hip, but is improving day-by-day. "That's absolutely my priority and I'm feeling pretty good, pretty fit," he said in London where the Ultimate Tennis Showdown is taking place.
"Every day, I feel like I'm moving more like the old me, more fluid, and I've got less of that mental barrier (over the injury) that I was also dealing with. There's still a very slight pain (from the freak hip injury he suffered at Wimbledon) but I'm sure that in Australia I'll be pain-free and be able to move even better than before."
De Minaur is the highest ranked Aussie tennis player and finally made it inside the top 10 earlier this year. He will finish the season as World No.9. And the Aussie admitted this was his biggest achievement in 2024.
"I'm happy I'm trending in the right direction towards starting the new season, hopefully pain-free. That's my biggest goal. Ever since Wimbledon, the times I've been able to play it's been with a lot of pain, and it's hindered me. There's always been pain. I've been able to push harder some days than others. It's been there, but there was so much to play for that you just kind of push through."
De Minaur fit ahead of potential Katie Boulter showdown
Surprisingly, de Minaur said he wouldn't be taking too much time off in the off-season and wants to make up for lost time ahead of the Australian Open. "There's probably not going to be too many times you see me at the end of the season with my feet up in the Maldives, anyway," de Minaur added about his plans.
"I tend to get back to work quite quickly after Davis Cup. There's not a lot of time to prepare for the start of next year, so I like to be ahead of the curve and get some good work in the off-season. So we had two days off after Davis Cup - and then we got back to work.
RELATED:
Tributes pour in after sad death of beloved Australian tennis star
Aussie tennis great torches Lleyton Hewitt over $4 million mistake
Jelena Dokic spills on heartache after being forced to leave Australia
In Australia next year, de Minaur has the opportunity to face girlfriend and fellow tennis star Boulter in the United Cup. Australia were drawn against the UK for the second year in a row.
If de Minaur and Boulter opt to play in the mixed-doubles event, as the two highest ranked male and female players from their nation, then they could face each other. The draw also sets up an intriguing battle for de Minaur against World No. 19 Jack Draper.
Draper eliminated de Minaur in the US Open - with the Aussie struggling for movement with his hip injury - but the World No.9 got redemption at the Paris Masters a few weeks later. Draper will offer de Minaur a good warm-up match ahead of the Australian Open.
