Rising star Alex de Minaur has his sights set on a revenge mission against Alexander Zverev
Alex de Minaur remembers exactly who beat him in his Davis Cup debut. It’s why he is already looking ahead to an ATP Cup rematch against world No. 7 Alexander Zverev.
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Rising star Alex de Minaur will limit his Christmas cheer as he focuses on a revenge mission and a winning start for Australia at the ATP Cup.
The world No. 18 will lead Australia’s assault at the inaugural ATP Cup, a 24-nation team competition taking place in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney next month.
The Australians face a tough first-up task at the Queensland Tennis Centre against Group F rivals Germany.
At the same venue last year, the Germans knocked the Aussies out of the Davis Cup, with Alexander Zverev beating de Minaur in a five-setter that set the tone for the tie.
The pair will meet again at Pat Rafter Arena on January 3, with de Minaur desperate to turn the tables on the world No.7.
“I had a very tough match against Zverev in my Davis Cup debut so it’s obviously in the back of my mind,” the 20-year-old right-hander said.
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“I’m putting in all the hard yards, all the long hours this pre-season to hopefully come into that match in the best possible shape to try to put a point on for Australia.
“We’ve all got our sights on the Australian summer, especially the ATP Cup, a new format where you’re going to have all the best tennis players come out and compete to a level that’s going to be really high.”
Joining Australia in Group F are Canada and Greece, whose charge will be led by world No. 6 and reigning ATP finals champion Stefanos Tsitsipas.
“We’ve been drawn into a very tough group,” de Minaur said.
Nick Kyrgios is set to be Australia’s other singles player, with de Minaur backing the world No. 30 to overcome the shoulder injury that forced him out of Australia’s Davis Cup quarter-final loss to Canada last month.
“Both Nick and I, we’re extremely excited to put on the green and gold again – it’s (an honour) for us to represent our country,” de Minaur said.
“We’re completely different players, and I just know that when it comes to playing for your country, Nick just leaves it all out there.
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“He’s going to be a great teammate to have.”
John Millman, John Peers and Chris Guccione make up the rest of Australia’s team.
“It’s going be a fun way to start the year,” de Minaur said.
“The whole Aussie team is really pumped to be able to start here in Brisbane again.
“It’s a place where we all love to play and where we’ve had some great memories.
“Hopefully we can put in some good tennis for the amazing Brisbane crowd.”
Originally published as Rising star Alex de Minaur has his sights set on a revenge mission against Alexander Zverev