‘Bring the noise’: Alex de Minaur’s message for fans during Australian Open

As he vies to become the first Aussie man to win the Australian Open in 48 years, the world No.10 says he’s “counting on” one thing from his supporters.

Alex de Minaur is aiming to go deep at this year’s Australian Open. Picture: Mark Stewart

“How big would you dream if you knew you couldn’t fail?”

Alex de Minaur revealed this as his motto after downing world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz in an Australian Open charity match on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night.

While it came in an exhibition game, the win was de Minaur’s third over a top-10 player within a week, following United Cup triumphs over Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev.

De Minaur himself is now a top-10 player for the first time in his career.

So how big can he dream ahead of his home grand slam? In the Aussie’s own words, the “sky’s the limit”.

Speaking after his world No.10 ranking was announced this week, the 24-year-old affirmed his goal for the Australian Open was to go deep.

“All the work that I put in, ultimately it comes down to performing at the slams,” he said.

“That’s been a goal of mine for a while now, trying to push (into the) second week of slams. It’s exactly where I want to be.”

Alex de Minaur plays a backhand during a training session ahead of the 2024 Australian Open. Picture: Getty Images

De Minaur will start his quest for his maiden grand slam with a tough assignment, having drawn former world No.3 Milos Raonic of Canada in the first round.

He has a message for tennis fans hoping to see him become the first Australian man to win the Australian Open since Mark Edmondson in 1976.

“It’s always so good to get home and have the Aussie crowd behind me – it means everything to me,” he said.

“I’m counting on them bringing the noise.”

Past and present Aussie players are also behind de Minaur. Lleyton Hewitt is firmly in the young gun’s corner, and Pat Rafter this week backed him to be in the mix for “semis and finals” in majors this year.

“The match he played against Zverev, I thought, hang on, this kid’s starting to really get it,” Rafter said.

With the present players, de Minaur says the support is mutual: “Australian tennis is in a great place right now. We have heaps of talented players and we all support each other.”

Another Aussie hoping to make waves at the Australian Open is Jason Kubler – one half of the wildcard pair who remarkably became men’s doubles champions at last year’s tournament.

Speaking from the Melbourne Park Fan Zone on Thursday, the 30-year-old said going back-to-back with partner Rinky Hijikata would be “pretty sick”, but the pair would “just take it one match at a time”.

“Last year was super special,” he added.

Destanee Aiava of Australia is through to the final round of Australia Open qualifying. Picture: Getty Images

Aussie cult-hero John Millman, 34, suffered a heartbreaking loss in the second round of the men’s qualifying singles, meaning he will miss out on a last hoorah at the Open.

But a host of Aussies continue their quests to qualify for the singles draw on Friday – among them Melbourne locals Storm Hunter, Destanee Aiava and Omar Jasika, Dane Sweeny, Pricilla Hon, Maddison Inglis and 17-year-old Maya Joint.

Aiava, a “southeast suburbs girl” from Narre Warren, said it had been “really nice to play in front of my home crowd”.

As part of AO Opening Week, presented by the Herald Sun, open practice will continue on Rod Laver Arena on Friday, with Nick Kyrgios to interview top players including de Minaur, Caroline Wozniacki, Naomi Osaka, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff.

Then Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud face off in the final charity match on centre court from 6.30pm.

The $10 Opening Week ground pass provides access to qualifying matches and open practice, while most tickets to the charity match cost $20.

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