As Tennis Winds Change, Alex de Minaur Says Opportunity Is Knocking | ATP Tour | Tennis

As one of many fiercest rivals on the ATP Tour, inconsistency isn’t one thing you usually affiliate with Alex de Minaur.

However because the ATP Tour season strikes into the third quarter and he takes inventory of his 2023 efficiency, the Australian speedster is focussed on hunting down a number of the disappointing early-round losses, notably on the massive levels, which have prevented him turning season into an important one.

At World No. 17, he’s simply two spots away from his career-high Pepperstone ATP Rating. His 22-14 document on the 12 months is strong. He claimed the largest title of his profession in February on the ATP 500 in Acapulco and was aggressive in a 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Carlos Alcaraz within the Queen’s ultimate shortly earlier than the Spaniard went on to win Wimbledon.

However after a run to the Australian Open fourth spherical (l. to Djokovic) in January, De Minaur has endured a 4-7 document on the Grand Slam and ATP Masters 1000 ranges.

“It’s been fairly an up and down season. I’ve had some superb outcomes and a few not so good ones, which I want to erase,” De Minaur advised ATPTour.com in Atlanta. “However nonetheless proper now I stand at a reasonably great spot with the second a part of the 12 months to go and I’m trying ahead to hopefully having the ability to make good use of the place I’m and have some good outcomes and preserve pushing increased and better and hopefully get to a brand new profession excessive.”

Consistency has not been an issue for the Australian on the Atlanta Openan occasion he has gained twice in three appearances, and the place he’s set to defend his title this week. De Minaur this week is taking part in his first event since a second-round exit at Wimbledonreturning to Atlanta the place he’s on an eight-match successful streak after his titles in 2022 and 2019.

“I simply really feel good right here,” De Minaur stated. “It is a very comfy event that’s very straightforward for the gamers. The lodge is principally on web site and you’ve got some nice meals shut by. It positively makes it simpler to play good tennis while you’re comfy.”

Having spent the primary a part of his profession squeezed out of huge titles rivalry by the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger FedererDe Minaur appears to be like upon the subsequent few years as doubtlessly the most efficient interval of his profession, regardless of the emergence of the brand new triple risk of Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Holger Runewho could embark on a shared interval of domination of their very own.

“We’re attending to a stage in tennis the place every part is opening up quite a bit, in order that’s fairly thrilling. Taking a look at myself personally, I want to be amongst the individuals breaking by means of to the subsequent degree,” De Minaur stated.

“In order that’s the plan for me. Simply preserve engaged on myself. Preserve attempting to push by means of and be the man that finally ends up going deep in within the large tournaments within the large weeks.”

His two Atlanta titles are proof that the Sydney native has not struggled making the transition from the grass season to the US laborious courts. And he doesn’t have any issues concerning the swap this time round.

“It is in all probability not the toughest change on this planet. I feel there’s different adjustments all year long that take a bit of bit extra adjusting to. After WimbledonI prefer to take a bit of little bit of break day, type of reset a bit of bit, each bodily and mentally. After which usually get myself a pleasant little week of prep, good prep, good coaching, after which I am able to go.

“There’s nothing particular I do. Finally, it comes very pure to me taking part in on the laborious courts. In all probability the largest factor is simply motion, you begin trusting your self once more, and begin type of committing to motion for work and type of sliding across the courtroom.

“Coming again because the defending champion, if something, it simply creates a goal in your again. I have been lucky sufficient to do it a pair instances. So now, I am type of used to it and it is simply one other week. Each time you begin a brand new event, you begin from scratch, and you realize you gotta let the very best man win. So hopefully I can put myself in rivalry this week, and we’ll see what occurs.”

De Minaur’s opening match will probably be towards fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakiswho loved a comeback three-set win over Gael Monfils Monday night time.