Alex de Minaur is mentally ready for his Wimbledon fourth-round encounter with Novak Djokovic, 12 months after he needed to pull out of his quarterfinal match with the seven-time champion.
London, UK, 7 July 2025 | Ian Chadband, AAP
Alex de Minaur says he’s older and wiser, with the expertise of 1 turbulent yr having hardened him to attempt to style the win of his life towards Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.
In 2024, Australia’s No.1 reckons he was in career-best kind when he booked a quarterfinal date with the seven-time champion, solely to must withdraw via a hip harm he had suffered throughout his fourth-round win.
Now again within the final 16 for a Centre Court docket duel on Monday, he has since endured a rollercoaster 12 months, wherein he was sidelined and weakened by the harm, earlier than bouncing again to succeed in the end-of-season ATP Finals for the primary time.
READ: De Minaur units up Djokovic rematch at Wimbledon
In 2025, De Minaur continued his workaholic methods however suffered a dispiriting early exit at Roland Garros.
So, is the July 2025 ‘Demon’ superior to the July 2024 mannequin?
“Good query. There’s undoubtedly two variations of myself,” he stated. “Final yr was a model which was very assured and able to form of tackle the world. I simply form of obtained stopped in my tracks [by my injury].
“I might say the model I’m proper now could be rather a lot wiser, and I’ve lived via much more experiences. I’ve performed much more huge matches, and I’m extra ready mentally.
“While possibly my degree final yr was very excessive, and it was form of fairly harmful, I really feel like this yr, mentally, I’m in a extremely good place. I’m hoping that the sport, the tennis, goes to return alongside.”
De Minaur has confronted Djokovic 3 times earlier than in “a giant distinction in matches”: a humbling straight-sets loss at Australian Open 2023, the morale-boosting United Cup victory early final yr, after which a reasonably undistinguished Monte Carlo Open duel gained by the Serb.
MORE: De Minaur snaps Djokovic’s Australian streak
This time, the 26-year-old is aware of he’s up towards a pointy and match Djokovic, versus the 2024 model, who was hindered by his personal harm woes.
It’s the “final problem” for Djokovic, who himself believes he’ll be taking part in his finest model of De Minaur but.
“Alex has additionally improved his recreation tremendously within the final couple of years. He’s taking part in the tennis of his life,” Djokovic stated. “He’s undoubtedly knocking on the door of the ultimate phases of Grand Slams.”
De Minaur is considered one of 9 Australians who will compete on the All England Membership on Day 8.
Kimberly Birrell and Maya Joint will come up towards compatriot Olivia Gadecki and American companion Desirae Krawczyk, of their third-round encounter.
They be a part of Ellen Perez and Jordan Thompson because the Australian gamers vying to succeed in the doubles quarterfinals on Monday.
Perez and Ukrainian companion Lyudmyla Kichenok face No.10 seeds Timea Babos and Luisa Stefani in a Unhealthy Homburg semifinal rematch, whereas Thompson and Pierre-Hughes Humbert are up towards second seeds Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten.
In junior motion, Emerson Jones and Tahlia Kokkinis resume their singles campaigns, whereas Cruz Hewitt makes his Wimbledon doubles debut.
READ: Hewitt in Cruz management after debut Wimbledon win
AUSSIES IN ACTION: WIMBLEDON
COMING UP ON DAY 8
Gents’s singles, fourth spherical
[11] Alex de Minaur (AUS) v [6] Novak Djokovic (SRB) – First match, Centre Court docket
Gents’s doubles, third spherical
Jordan Thompson (AUS)/Pierre-Hughes Humbert (FRA) v [2] Harri Heliovaara (FIN)/Henry Patten (GBR) – First match, Court docket 12
Women’ doubles, third spherical
[7] Ellen Perez (AUS)/Lyudmyla Kichenok (UKR) v [10] Timea Babos (HUN)/Luisa Stefani (BRA) – Second match, Court docket 14
Kimberly Birrell (AUS)/Maya Joint (AUS) v Olivia Gadecki (AUS)/Desirae Krawczyk (USA) – Second match, Court docket 17
Ladies’ singles, second spherical
[1] Emerson Jones (AUS) v Yoana Konstantinova (BUL) – Third match, Court docket 18
Tahlia Kokkinis (AUS) v Daniella Britton (GBR) – Third match, Court docket 4
Boys’ doubles, first spherical
Cruz Hewitt (AUS)/Mark Ceban (GBR) v Haydar Cem Gokpinar (TUR)/Kerem Yilmaz (TUR) – Third match, Court docket 8
Discover your method to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to hit the courtroom and have some enjoyable!
