Ken Rosewall: Alex de Minaur is Australia’s great hope to win a grand slam

Alex de Minaur has surpassed Nick Kyrgios as Australia’s great hope because Kyrgios “takes things easier”, legend Ken Rosewall has declared.

Alex De Minaur of Australia in action against Alexei Popyrin of Australia on day two of the Brisbane International tennis tournament at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Brisbane, Tuesday, January 1, 2018. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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Alex De Minaur has surpassed Nick Kyrgios as Australia’s great hope because Kyrgios “takes things easier”, legend Ken Rosewall has declared.

Rosewall praised de Minaur’s tenacity, a trait that has often been lacking throughout Kyrgios’ career.

Rosewall said world No.31 de Minaur, who is now ranked ahead of Kyrgios (No.35), is the man to carry Australia’s flag for Grand Slam hopes.

“Alex, he’s got a different approach to the game (than Nick), he’s very competitive, he likes to play well every time he plays,” Rosewall said.

“The moment he steps on to the court, he’s 100 per cent, whereas Nick seems to have got into the habit where he takes things a little bit easier.

Alex De Minaur is hoping to back up his breakthrough year on tour last year. Picture: AAP

“He said himself where he hasn’t been practising and I think that will show later if he gets involved in any long matches.

“If he plays in Melbourne and you get weather like this, best of five sets, even though you might get a day’s rest in between matches, I think it’s going to affect him. He’s not going to be playing strongly enough towards the end of the match.

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“So, from an Australian point of view, you’re looking at Alex to do better than anybody else.”

After crashing out of the Brisbane International this week, Kyrgios will be unseeded at the Australian Open.

“Nick’s going to be a dangerous floater,” Rosewall said. “The worst thing that can happen is if he draws one of the top-seeded players in the first round.

Nick Kyrgios could be dangerous at the Australian Open if he has his mind on the job. Picture: AAP

“That’s a distinct possibility and that would be bad for him.

“I mean, everyone would like to support Nick more, I think, because people enjoy watching him play with his ability.

“Just sometimes when he doesn’t give it 100 per cent effort, he upsets a lot of his fans.”

Kyrgios said last week he was sick of the travel involved in professional tennis and even quipped: “If I was going to win the Aus Open or something I probably wouldn’t play for the rest of the year.”

Rosewall said planning his schedule would be key for Kyrgios.

Ken Rosewall is a big fan of Alex de Minaur. Picture: Getty Images

“If you’re a tennis player you like our golfers, a lot of our best golfers live in America, they’ve got to be away from where they grew up, and the same with the tennis,” Rosewall said.

“A lot of tennis players have chosen to live in America, I never did, even in the earlier days I was away from my family a lot and when I got tired I pulled out of the tour for two weeks and just had a rest.

“You’ve got to try to plan it a little bit.”

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Originally published as Ken Rosewall: Alex de Minaur is Australia’s great hope to win a grand slam