Alex de Minaur puts his body on line as he builds on remarkable year

Australia’s bright light on the tennis horizon, Alex de Minaur, says next year will be all about body maintenance as he aims to play fewer tournaments but stay in peak condition.

Alex de Minaur during a practice session at Pat Rafter Arena.

Alex de Minaur has vowed to become even more professional next year, including an investment in a travelling conditioner and physio from his $1.85 million prizemoney bounty in 2018.

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Australia’s ATP newcomer of the year award winner said on Sunday he planned to play fewer tournaments next year after talks with coach Adolfo Gutierrez, who flew in from Spain on Thursday to guide his Australian Open campaign.

De Minaur, 19, has already impressed the Australian tennis community with his work ethic, being spotted at this month’s Davis Cup squad training camp in Brisbane getting off the ground like someone twice his age after a punishing gym session.

The Australian No. 1 plays another Australian — 19-year-old wildcard Alexei Popyrin — in the first round of the Brisbane International, the first step of backing up a wondrous year in which he improved his ranking from No. 208 to No. 31.

Alex de Minaur plays another Australian — 19-year-old wildcard Alexei Popyrin — in the first round of the Brisbane International.

“In 2019, I’m going to be way more professional and hopefully have a bigger team of guys around me,’’ de Minaur told The Courier-Mail.

“I hope to have a physio with me more weeks and a fitness guy. I realise how important my body is for my tennis.

“It’s a long year and ranking is just a number at the end of the day. But I will make sure I am giving 150 per cent each time I step out there. That’s all I can ask of myself, as well as looking after myself and make sure I keep learning.’’

De Minaur’s hunger for work is illustrated by his log of 23 tournaments this year when previously he had only two ATP level events.

“I’ll play maybe less tournaments and have training blocks to get stronger and take care of my body,’’ he said.

Alex de Minaur: “I’ll play maybe less tournaments and have training blocks to get stronger.”

De Minaur is playing doubles on Monday with Lleyton Hewitt, the Australian Davis Cup captain who stood in his usual commanding courtside spot in overseeing the teenager’s practice with Andy Murray on Sunday.

The Spain-based right-hander has been coached for eight years by Gutierrez.

“Adolfo has seen me play and grow and develop,’’ de Minaur said.

“It’s always great to have someone like him on the road with me.’’

Popyrin, the 2017 French Open boys’ champion, is in a similar place to where de Minaur was 12 months ago — a European-based 19-year-old with a wildcard.

In fact, Popyrin, ranked No. 151, is ranked 57 places better than his opponent was before his making the 2018 Brisbane semi-finals.

“Alexei has been playing some great tennis and qualified for ATP events,’’ said de Minaur. “He’s a very dangerous player — a big guy with a lot of weapons.’’