Interview De Minaur: ‘A lot of Aussies come here and enjoy’

Alex de Minaur has lived up to his status as number one seed this week, reaching the final. The Australian, who recently broke into the top10, is in the best phase of his career.

Alex, you are doing well in the Netherlands this year. After a final in Rotterdam, you are now in the final match here as well. You speak your languages well. Are you already familiar with the word ‘gefeliciteerd’?
‘No, I don’t know that yet. The Dutch language is still completely unknown to me. I speak French as well as English and Spanish, but Dutch is really totally different.’

You are going to improve your best ranking to place eight and are in a final again. What is most significant about that for you?
‘I think it’s just all in all a week I’m happy with. My level is fine, even though after my quarterfinal at Roland Garros I had little switchover time to grass. I’m happy that that went so smoothly for me.’

Can you give a preview of your final against Sebastian Korda?
‘I think Seb is a natural grass player. He is very skilful, likes to come to the net and can play service volley. His game is really made for grass tennis so he is a dangerous opponent.
It will be important for both of us to dictate the game, so that’s the tactical battle that will take place.’

You feel a proud heir to Australia’s rich tennis history and have a tattoo with your Davis Cup selection number, for example. The record champion here is Pat Rafter with three titles. Lleyton Hewitt is also a former winner. Does it do something to you that you can follow in their footsteps?
‘Of course it’s a beautiful thing. Jordan Thompson has also been close a few times in recent history. A lot of Aussies come here and enjoy the conditions at this tournament.’

You’re also an avid golfer. Have you done anything with that this week?
‘We are staying near a golf course, but playing 18 holes was a bit too much. I only do that when I have time to completely disconnect my head from tennis. I did take time to work specifically on my short game.’

As a golf fan, then, I have to present you with this dilemma: Tiger Woods or Greg Norman?
‘Poe, that’s a tough one. In my youth, I saw Tiger in action more. Greg played just a bit before my time, but is of course an Australian hero. So I can’t ignore him.’

You spend large parts of the year in Spain and also follow football pretty well. What do you think are the Netherlands’ chances this EC?
‘Yes I am also participating in fantasy football this EC, so I am following it with interest. The Netherlands is always good at tournaments and is again among the contenders, but I rate England and France as favourites. Spain has a younger team and is rebuilding a bit. But I mostly cheer for certain individual players based on my own team, haha.’