Alex de Minaur’s fighting spirit will make him ‘difficult to play against for years to come’

IMPRESSIVE Australian teenager Alex de Minaur can call on a familiar ability to grind down opponents when he takes on Milos Raonic in the Brisbane International second round.

Alex de Minaur celebrates his win over Steve Johnson.

IMPRESSIVE Australian teenager Alex de Minaur can call on a familiar ability to grind down opponents when he takes on former champion Milos Raonic in the Brisbane International second round.

Australian Davis Cup coach Jason Stoltenberg believes the diminutive 18-year-old can be a pest for more seasoned opponents by applying the same fighting spirit that saw him upset American Steve Johnson in his first match of the tournament.

“He does have a real grinding sort of mentality,” Stoltenberg said.

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“He fights for everything because he’s probably been a little bit smaller in the past and whilst he’s grown and he’s quite a good height, he’s still not quite as strong as some of the other guys yet. I know he’s working hard on it.

“He has to fight for everything he gets and I think that quality will make him quite difficult to play in the years to come.”

One person who can truly appreciate de Minaur’s tenacity is Lleyton Hewitt, the Davis Cup captain renowned for his never-say-die attitude as a player and who sat with Stoltenberg in the youngster’s box for his opening match.

Alex de Minaur in action at the Brisbane International.

“Lleyton has been a really good mentor for him and has taken him under his wing a little bit because I think he sees a little bit of himself in Alex,” said Stoltenberg.

The Sydney-born, Spain-based teen nicknamed “Demon” will show his wares on an even bigger stage after winning last month’s Australian Open wildcard playoff.

“He’s the sort of kid that doesn’t really expect anything so when something like that comes along he’s pretty chuffed,” Stoltenberg said.

“But he’s obviously earned it with his results and winning the playoff so we’re really happy for him.”

De Minaur admitted that playoff victory had given him a timely boost of confidence.

“It allows me to play my game and feel comfortable with where my game is at at the moment,” he said after beating Johnson, who was ranked 164 places higher.

He will need to take another step up against No.4 seed Raonic, who said he had prepared well after an injury hampered 2017.

“I got down here early, quite early, more than two weeks ago, so I’ve had a chance to really get accustomed and put in a lot of good days of work here,” Raonic said.