Australian Open 2023: Alex de Minaur’s grand plans revealed after round 1 victory

Mentor Lleton Hewitt has revealed how Alex de Minaur plans to smash his way into the world’s top 10 after cruising into the second round of the Australian Open.

Australia's Kimberly Birrell celebrates a point against Estonia's Kaia Kanepi during their women's singles match on day two of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 17, 2023. (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Alex de Minaur has a new motto for 2023: Don’t worry. Be Happy.

He has this resolution written on his tennis bag and he certainly put it into effect in his opening round match, demolishing Chinese Taipei qualifier Hsu Yu Hsiou 6-2 6-2 6-3.

“It reminds me to take it a little bit easier on myself and try and enjoy it,” De Minaur explained afterwards.

Australian Open officials certainly enjoyed his work given they were still recovering from the shock withdrawal of Nick Kyrgios 24 hours earlier.

With Kyrgios gone, the hopes of a nation now rest with ‘The Demon’ who comes into Melbourne Park at the peak of his powers after taking down defending champion Rafael Nadal in the lead-up.

“It is a lot of confidence (beating Nadal). I knew I had that level for a while but to get these wins at a different level, now I know I can do it each week,” De Minaur said.

“It gives me confidence and belief in myself. Every day in my life I want to get better, I’m feeling better than last year so hopefully I can reach a better level.”

Alex de Minaur cruised through the first round. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty

The No.22 seed was in a different class to Hsu, his ground strokes far superior with commentator Jim Courier declaring: “It is so tough to finish points against De Minaur right now. With those wheels, he just keeps fighting.”

Australia’s best known fighter, Lleyton Hewitt, was courtside at John Cain Arena along with legendary coach Tony Roche.

In a courtside interview, Hewitt explained De Minaur, 23, was looking at improving the power of his serve which would elevate him into the top 10 players in the world.

“His return of serve is as good as anything in the game,” Hewitt said. “He is working on his serve to develop that one-two punch which stands up against the best.”

In the lead-up to the first round match, Kyrgios moved to clarify suggestions the Australian teammates didn’t see eye-to-eye.

A message on Alex de Minaur’s bag. Picture: Michael Klein

This had been fuelled by De Minaur being reluctant to talk about Kyrgios leading into the Open when asked on several occasions.

“Me and Demon have a great relationship,” Kyrgios said. “He came up to me yesterday and said, ‘I’m sorry for everything and I hope your body goes well’.

“I respect all these players, so it’s not a big deal when I read about me and Demon are feuding. He’s one of my close mates on tour and he always will be.”

De Minaur, who lost to Italian young gun Jannik Sinner in the fourth round last year, is on a pathway to clash with nine-time Open champion Novak Djokovic in the fourth round.

He faces either big-serving American John Isner or France’s Adrian Mannarino in the second round.

AUSSIE OWES VENUS $158,850 ‘THANK YOU’

- Lauren Wood

For seven-time grand slam champion Venus Williams, withdrawing from the Australian Open last week was probably “just a small thing”.

For Australian Kim Birrell, it was “life-changing”.

The Queenslander was included in the Australian Open main draw with a wildcard on the eve of the tournament in the wake of Williams’ injury exit, learning the news and “cried like a baby” in emotional scenes as she left the practice court — then preparing for qualifying rounds.

But on Tuesday, 1462 days since her last grand slam main draw singles victory, Birrell secured a spot in the second round with a fightback 3-6 7-6 (4) 6-1 victory over 31st-seed Kaia Kanepi, backing her training in the Queensland heat to get her through.

“I did speak to someone that’s friends with (Williams), and I asked if she was in Melbourne because I thought if I saw her in the locker room, I thought I would mention to her that I was the one that ended up getting her spot and I guess say, like, thank you,” Birrell said.

“It was kind of a weird one.

Australia's Kimberly Birrell celebrates a point against Estonia's Kaia Kanepi. Picture: AFP

“She’s such a legend of our sport, and I have so much respect for her and Serena and what they’ve done.

“I also wanted to know if she was OK too … I guess, for her to not play it’s kind of just a small thing, but for me to get the chance to play in a major slam, especially the money can be life-changing, so I’m pretty grateful.”

Birrell, 24, has endured two bouts of elbow surgery in recent years, dipping outside the world’s top 700 players before returning at last year’s Australian Open.

And before her 2022 saw her slog at ITF tournaments in Tunisia and beyond, she had at times wondered whether it all might be over, beginning planning to put her communications degree to use off the court.

Venus Williams was a late withdrawal. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty

“I’ve worked my absolute butt off just to get back on the court with rehab,” Birrell said. “There was a few moments where I didn’t think it was going to happen.

“No matter how resilient you are, rehab is really tough when you’ve been doing it for a year and a half. There were times when I wanted to give up, but I’m really glad that I didn’t.”

Birrell banks at least $158,850 by making the second round.

When she saluted with a third round berth in 2019 — her last main draw appearance at a grand slam — Birrell revealed her plans to purchase a car.

This time around, it’s about securing a buffer after a trying few years.

“I really grinded last year … I loved it, but it was a stress that I hadn’t felt for a long time just constantly being in a deficit every week,” she said.

“I’m super aware of all the sacrifices that my family have made and my boyfriend have made. We’re both living at home with my mum and dad.

“To not know what’s next when you have experienced injuries and to also want to have the money saved up to also reinvest it into myself and be able to have a coach on the road with me and things like that (will be great).

“To know that I have a little bit more for the rest of this year is awesome, and hopefully the other goals that I have outside of tennis also get achieved.”