Claims of 'tunnel ambush' amid Alex de Minaur controversy
Alex de Minaur’s manager has defended his stunning swipe at Australian Open officials.
De Minaur caused controversy at the Sydney International on Saturday when he fired up at Open officials over his first round schedule.
The 19-year-old accused the grand slam organisers of punishing local players who perform well in home tournaments, after failing to have his opening-round clash pushed back.
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Wet weather meant de Minaur was forced to play two matches in one day at the Sydney International on Saturday, and he wasn’t too pleased when he found out he was playing on Monday afternoon at Melbourne Park.
“What is more annoying is me having to play Monday at the Australian Open and not getting helped out as a fellow Aussie at your home slam,” he told reporters in Sydney.
“I think they are punishing Aussies for playing deep in their home tournaments and I think that’s not what they should be doing.
“They came out with the schedule before they even saw the halves or saw who was in the final in the weeks prior. I think that is pretty poor.”
De Minaur’s manager has since explained the teenager’s comments, saying they came about after he was ‘ambushed’ before the interview.
“He was more or less ambushed in the tunnel as he walked off the court after playing his first match on Saturday, so he wasn’t prepared for any interview at that stage,” Drysdale told Macquarie Sports Radio on Monday.
“He’s very easy to deal with and a very mature young man, so he knows how to deal with the media.
“He was still fired up from playing, hadn’t had time to think about things properly and the comments were made, in all honesty, he wasn’t as angry as what came across.”
However AAP journalist Scott Bailey hit back at those claims.
“For background, Alex was hardly ambushed,” Bailey tweeted.
“He spoke about Australian Open unprompted when asked first question about how he felt playing twice on that day in Sydney.
“But that’s not a bad thing. It’s good. He’s entitled to give his opinion.”
For background, Alex was hardly ambushed. He spoke about Australian Open unprompted when asked first question about how he felt playing twice on that day in Sydney. But that's not a bad thing. It's good. He's entitled to give his opinion. #AusOpen https://t.co/oLRDm1RbeA
— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) January 13, 2019
Bailey also commended de Minaur’s approach to the media and turned the torch on Tennis Australia.
“That’s not a crack at Alex. He’s great to deal with and will be very marketable.
“The bigger shame in that was that TA had four hours to respond and explain the situation but never did.
“Alex should be entitled and encouraged to speak his mind & it’s good he did.”
And that's not a crack at Alex. He's great to deal with and will be very marketable. The bigger shame in that was that TA had four hours to respond and explain the situation but never did. Alex should be entitled and encouraged to speak his mind & it's good he did. #AusOpen
— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) January 13, 2019
De Minaur’s gruelling schedule didn’t seem to affect him on Monday, winning through to the second round in straight sets.