In a bold move to close the gap on tennis's young titans, Australia's top-ranked men's player, Alex de Minaur, has undergone a significant physical and tactical overhaul. The World No. 7 has spent his off-season packing on muscle and cultivating a more disruptive playing style with one clear goal: to finally defeat the seemingly unstoppable duo of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
The Fitness Push: Building a Bulked-Up 'Demon'
The core of de Minaur's new strategy lies in a dedicated strength and conditioning program under a new fitness trainer. The Australian star, who holds a 0-18 combined record against Alcaraz and Sinner, believes bridging the physical power deficit is non-negotiable. While renowned for his exceptional speed and defensive prowess, de Minaur has identified added strength as a critical component to compete with the explosive baseline power of his rivals.
"Ultimately, trying to get bigger and stronger and just keep on improving," de Minaur stated in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald. This focus on bulking up marks a strategic shift for the 24-year-old, who will commence his 2025 campaign at the United Cup in Sydney. Notably, this season start follows a short break, his first in seven years, indicating a refreshed and recalibrated approach to the gruelling tour.
More Than Muscle: Embracing Risk and Disruption
However, de Minaur's plan extends far beyond the gym. He acknowledges that physical power alone won't suffice. The key, he says, is innovation and unpredictability on the court. His team has worked on developing "new weapons" and a willingness to "take more risks."
"For me, it's finding different ways to hurt these players – trying to be ready to take more risks and be a little bit more of a disruptor," de Minaur explained. He reflected on several close matches against both Alcaraz and Sinner, using them as motivation. "There's no other way than just getting better, right?... You ultimately have to bridge that gap." This mindset points towards a more aggressive, front-foot tennis, aiming to break the rhythm of the game's most dominant young stars.
The Immediate Test: United Cup and Australian Open
The first real examination of this new-look de Minaur will come swiftly. After the United Cup team event in Sydney, the spotlight shifts to Melbourne for the Australian Open. Having reached the quarterfinals of every Grand Slam, the next logical step for the Australian is a deep run at his home major, a path that will likely require conquering the very rivals he has tailored his game to beat.
De Minaur's recent form provides a mixed but insightful backdrop. He scored a notable victory over Taylor Fritz at the ATP Finals, showcasing his high level. Yet, it was a subsequent loss to Lorenzo Musetti that he described as "one of the toughest days of my life." He used that disappointment as fuel, stating it was a way to "express my feelings" and regroup, which he did emphatically in his next match. This resilience will be paramount as he embarks on his most challenging season objective yet.
The tennis world will be watching closely to see if Alex de Minaur's combination of added muscle and a daring new tactical blueprint can finally crack the code of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, potentially reshaping the dynamics at the very top of men's tennis.
