Alex de Minaur's 2025 season had a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in a bittersweet ATP Finals run. Despite reaching the semifinals, the Australian tennis star openly admitted to internal struggles. After a tough loss to Lorenzo Musetti, De Minaur was candid with himself, which seemed to light a fire under him. Sam Stosur offered some crucial advice (though the specifics remain a mystery), and the results spoke for themselves as he triumphed over Taylor Fritz to secure a spot in the semifinals.
Looking back, De Minaur will likely reflect on his first ATP Finals semifinal appearance with pride. But here's where it gets interesting...
Ahead of the ATP Finals, players were asked to identify a 'red flag' in their game – an area they'd like to improve. Tim Henman has weighed in with his insights, potentially guiding De Minaur towards more victories against top-10 players in the coming year.
De Minaur's 'red flag' might not surprise you: he admits to potentially trying too hard during matches. In an interview with the ATP on Instagram, he confessed, "Maybe I don’t have enough fun sometimes, maybe I’m all business and too serious sometimes, maybe I just need to let go sometimes, relax, have fun, have a laugh whilst I’m practising or playing a match.”
And this is the part most people miss...
Before his victory against Fritz, De Minaur had a daunting record of 17 consecutive losses against top-10 players. To truly contend for major titles and break into the Grand Slam semifinals, he needs to address these weaknesses. His admission about trying too hard suggests that a more relaxed approach could be the key to winning crucial matches when the pressure mounts.
De Minaur is a popular figure on the ATP Tour, and his openness about his struggles is refreshing. With the ATP Finals semifinal under his belt, the off-season should be a little easier, and we'll be watching closely to see how he performs during the Australian swing in January. What do you think? Do you agree that relaxing and having fun can improve performance, or is there more to it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
