An emotional Alex De Minaur screamed “this is my f–king court” in an emotional display after dispatching world No.7 Matteo Berrettini in the ATP Cup last night.
It was a release that said as much about the Aussie star’s difficult last 12 months as it did about what’s to come this summer as he clinched one of the best wins of his career.
De Minaur’s win over the world No.7 meant that Australia could win the tie against the more fancied Italians, should John Peers and Alex Saville win their doubles match – and the pair duly obliged.
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But it was De Minaur who got the ball rolling after Jannik Sinner had defeated Max Purcell 6-1, 6-3 to win Italy the opening match.
After failing to serve out the match, De Minaur gathered himself in front of a packed Ken Rosewall Arena and rode the raucous crowd to victory in the tiebreak, with Berrettini sending a forehand wide to end it 6-3 7-6 (7-4) in the Aussie dynamo’s favour.
The 22-year-old then gave an emotional address to his home fans, explaining why it had all meant so much to him.
“I think it’s no secret that this court brings out the best in me. There’s no place like playing at home and in front of a packed crowd,” he said after the match.
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“This is what you work hard for.”
In June last year, De Minaur had climbed all the way to 15th in the world rankings – but then lost in the opening round at Wimbledon and missed the Olympics thanks to a positive COVID-19 test.
He came back in the US Open but was defeated in the first round there as well, and looked a shell of his former self as he suffered the long after-effects of a virus that has had debilitating impacts on several tennis players who have fallen victim to the pandemic. As a result he finished the year ranked 34th.
“It’s not about how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get knocked down and get back up again,” he said.
“I didn’t have the best year, I had a couple of setbacks, a couple of unlucky events – but I’m back.
https://twitter.com/ATPCup/status/1477587965627015171
“I worked really hard to be here, I’m in the best shape of my life, and I’m ready to have a big year.”
Australia will be back in action against France on Tuesday, and with only the group winner advancing to the knock-out stages, it’s another must-win fixture.
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