Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur became one of the top 10 players in the world this week as he returned to Melbourne to compete in the Australian Open. The 24-year-old, who left Sydney in 2015 to pursue his tennis career abroad, now calls Monaco home, while his immediate family is based in Alicante, Spain.

Known for his lightning-fast pace, which earned him the nickname Demon, de Minaur developed a love of Italian cuisine from his father Anibal, who ran Italian restaurant, Giovanni’s, on Sydney’s George Street for 16 years. The restaurant is where his parents met; his Spanish mother, Esther, was working there as a waitress at the time.

When it comes to his preparation for the Open, classic Italian dishes still rank highly.

“I try not to be too superstitious with any rituals when it comes to specific dishes I choose to eat,” says de Minaur. “Otherwise it becomes too tiring to replicate them everywhere I go. I am definitely a big carb man, so if it involves pasta or rice, that’s what I am eating,” he says.

“If I go to Thirty Eight Chairs in South Yarra, I always get the pasta bolognese and make sure I get my share of carbohydrates before a game.

Preparing for the Open comes down to strength and conditioning, and mental preparedness; and de Minaur says he’s feeling on top of his game right now.

Already this month he’s defeated world number one and two tennis players Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, and at 7pm on Monday, he was due to face Canadian Milos Raonic, the former world number three (currently ranked 318), on centre court.

“The biggest thing so far was cracking the top 10 in my hometown of Sydney at the Ken Rosewell Arena,” says de Minaur.

“I have worked incredibly to get to this point and it’s thanks to the great team behind me. My strength and conditioning coach has been with me for 16 years, and my team has always believed in me, and pushed me to believe in myself.”

EATING IN

Signature dish

I love to make spaghetti bolognese − you can’t go wrong. I have fond memories of eating pasta at my dad’s Italian restaurant in Sydney growing up. I think that’s where my love of bolognese sauce developed, as Dad would spend hours making it and stirring the sauce. I am sure that’s why I have such a fondness for it.

My guilty pleasure

It has to be traditional New York cheesecake.

EATING OUT

My favourite restaurant is Santi in Alicante, Spain – they make the best paella.

When I need to go to a cafe, you’ll find me at Panaderia la almajada in Alicante – it’s my favourite spot for traditional pastries like ensaimada [a sweet, flaky spiral eaten any time of day], with cafe con leche (coffee with milk).

Favourite Melbourne dining spots

I am a regular at South Yarra’s Thirty Eight Chairs, a small Italian restaurant. They serve amazing pastas with tasty sauces. I always order a plate of spaghetti bolognese here. It’s a guaranteed winner. This restaurant is a favourite choice for my team when we’re in town for the Australian Open.

I ate at Cucinetta in South Yarra the other night, and ordered pasta with veal ragu which was also amazing. I also like to eat at Misschu in South Yarra − it’s easy and convenient. I always order the pork dumplings.

I can also be found at Nobu at Crown Melbourne; you can’t go past the black cod miso.

ON THE ROAD

Favourite food city

It has to be Madrid, Spain. You always get traditional Spanish food and can’t go wrong. I stay at the NH Hotel. The jamon iberico at the hotel’s Tablafina restaurant is delicious.

I don’t usually drink, but when I win a tournament, I love to celebrate with a Pina Colada, particularly with an umbrella in it.

Where to dine in Sydney

6 Head Sydney has the best location overlooking the harbour with a great view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. I usually go for the special meat that’s on the menu. They have a great selection of steaks and seafood.

Favourite cafes in Melbourne and Sydney

Walrus Cafe in the Sydney CBD and SOS Melbourne in South Yarra − good vibes, great coffee and food. I also love Pound Cafe in the same suburb. It’s right around the corner from where I stay at the Ovolo South Yarra. Nick makes a great coffee there.

Birthday celebrations

My birthday is in February. Last year I was in Rotterdam and played Grigor Dimitrov, but unfortunately lost that game, so there wasn’t much celebrating.

When it comes to my birthday, I love to eat out with family and friends, but I’m usually travelling, so when I do see them, I always try to catch up with them and make the most of our time together.

I also own a vintage red 1967 Mustang, and while I don’t do them up myself, they are certainly something I absolutely love and enjoy on my days off.

When in Melbourne, Alex chooses to stay at Ovolo South Yarra.