Alex de Minaur defeats Carlos Alcaraz in AO Opening Week charity match

Australia’s highest-ranked player has claimed his third top-10 scalp of 2024 in a promising sign for his Australian Open campaign.

Alex de Minaur of Australia thanks the fans following victory in a charity match against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain ahead of the 2024 Australian Open. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

Alex de Minaur continued his red-hot run of form by defeating world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz in a highly entertaining Australian Open charity match on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night.

Both players brought their A-game to the two-hour long exhibition – part of AO Opening Week, presented by the Herald Sun – with the Aussie world No.10 prevailing over his Spanish opponent 6-4, 5-7 (10-3).

“I’m extremely happy,” de Minaur said on-court after the match. “2024 has been very good to me, hopefully I can keep it going. I’m pushing myself every day and hopefully the sky’s the limit.”

De Minaur embraces Carlos Alcaraz following their charity match. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

De Minaur defeated Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev in United Cup matches last week, in a promising lead up to the Open.

A near-full Rod Laver Arena – featuring Lleyton Hewitt in de Minaur’s corner – got behind both players to create an electric atmosphere.

The young guns participated in lighthearted on-court interviews and interacted with the crowd between service games, but used all their weapons during play to generate a high-quality match.

De Minaur said the event was “a great way to prepare for the Australian Open” and support a “great charity”.

Ten-time Open champion Djokovic will host a bumper Thursday night exhibition on Rod Laver Arena as AO Opening Week continues.

He’ll be joined by fellow 2023 defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, Greek stars Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari, and big-name players from other sports who are yet to be revealed.

Most tickets to the charity match – and another scheduled for Friday night featuring Alcaraz and Casper Ruud – cost just $20 and proceeds go towards children’s charities through the Australian Tennis Foundation.

Millman wins first Australian Open qualifier

John Millman of Australia progressed through the first round of qualifying. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

John Millman kept his dream of playing in a final Australian Open alive on Wednesday, by overcoming Italian Alessandro Giannessi 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of qualifying, as a loud crowd watched on.

The Aussie fan favourite will retire after the Australian Open, and now needs two more qualifying wins to make the main draw.

“I’m not an emotional guy, but prior to going out for that one, I was a little bit,” the 34-year-old said.

“I’ve been doing this since I finished high school and I’ve been living out a dream that I had as a kid. Nothing can really prepare you (for what could be your final match).

“The crowd was awesome – for a qualifying match, it was nearly full. I’m so grateful for the support I have here year in year out.”

Millman is due to face Alex Molcan of Slovakia in the second round of qualifying on Thursday, rounding out a triple-header of Aussie qualies on Court 3 alongside 19-year-old Talia Gibson and Melbourne-based Storm Hunter.

Hunter – recently crowned the world No.1 doubles player – praised the new Opening Week concept for bringing more fans to qualifying matches.

“I’ve played qualies for many, many years and I haven’t seen a crowd like we got out here today,” she said after her round-one win on Wednesday.

”It’s been so loud and so much fun.”

Melbourne’s Omar Jastika and Destanee Aiava will also continue their quest to qualify for the Australian Open on Thursday, along with teenagers Maya Joint, Melisa Ercan and Edward Winter.

Kyrgios locks in Rod Laver match-up with Djokovic

Nick Kyrgios will interview Novak Djokovic live at the Australian Open. Picture: Mark Stewart

Despite having to withdraw from the Australian Open due to injury, Nick Kyrgios will still meet Novak Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena – to record a podcast.

Kyrgios will interview the world No.1 for a live episode of his new podcast, Good Trouble, following a charity match being staged on Thursday night.

The 28-year-old will also chat to players taking part in open practice sessions on centre court on Friday afternoon – which fans can access with an Opening Week ground pass, costing $10 for adults and $5 for kids.

And he will provide commentary on the Australian Open draw – taking place from 1pm on Thursday at Melbourne Park and broadcast on AO YouTube – in a warm-up for his upcoming commentary role with Eurosport throughout the main tournament.

Kyrgios will miss the Australian Open due to injury. Picture: Getty Images

The former Wimbledon finalist’s podcast will premiere on January 24, with fellow tennis players Naomi Osaka and Frances Tiafoe, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and boxer Mike Tyson among the confirmed guests.

“I can’t wait for the release of my new series,” Kyrgios said.

“It’s been tough for me to sit out the last year or so, dealing with an injury, but I’ve had a lot of fun commentating and developing my own talk show.

“We’ve got an all-star line-up of guests for season one and I can’t wait for everyone to check it out.”

Kyrgios has collaborated with Hana Kuma, the production company co-founded by Naomi Osaka and her longtime agent, Stuart Duguid, to create Good Trouble.

Tennis Australia chief content officer Darren Pearce said the organisation supported the project, stating: “Developing new audiences, promoting new platforms and finding new voices in tennis is crucial to the ongoing success of the sport. Nick does all of that naturally.

“We have a focus on innovation and are prepared to push boundaries, where we can, in what is still a pretty traditional sport. Nick brings the edge, whether it’s on or off the court. He excites new audiences and creates more interest in the game.”

Serious knee and wrist injuries have kept the former world No.13 off the court for more than a year.

Other Opening Week perks include access to Australian Open qualifying matches, public practice sessions with the world’s best players, tennis racquet giveaways for kids, the chance to see player interviews live in the Fan Zone and early access to select Australian Open food outlets.

The Australian Open main draw begins on January 14.

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