Australian Open: All systems go for the mouse that roars

Alex de Minaur has a simple plan of attack for the Australian Open: “Just go for it.”

Alex de Minaur ahead of the Australian Open Picture: Getty Images

The plan of attack?

“If the opportunity is there, just go for it,” says Alex de Minaur.

The mouse that roars has delivered a couple of nice lines ahead of the Australian Open. Firstly, the one about dreaming your dream on the basis that it cannot fail. Because that’s the way to shoot for the highest star and the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.

For de Minaur to sleep, perchance to unashamedly dream of winning his national championship is wildly optimistic and compelling enough to make him compelling viewing.

He sincerely believes all his starry-eyed ambitions can be realised at Melbourne Park.

Secondly, just go for it. To heck with it. Have a go, yer mug. That’s the spirit, eh? He’s never gone within cooee of winning a major but to his mind, who cares?

Go for it. Dream the impossible dream anyway. I bet the mouse that roars runs rings around Canadian giant Milos Raonic in the opening round. Bet he sneaks into round 4. Bet when he gets to sleep, perchance to keep dreaming of Norm – the Challenge Cup – he fully expects to knock off Andrey Rublev. Then Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals. Then Djoker in the semis. Then Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

Dream on? Self-belief fuels every impossible dream. You cannot just go for it unless you believe you have it in you. Which de Minaur does. He warms the heart. Pulls a chest-thumping, fist-pumping audience. What are we watching when de Minaur plays? We’re watching a dedicated 24-year-old chasing his dreams. It’s that simple.

Alex de Minaur during a training session at Melbourne Park on Friday Picture: Getty Images

He’s Rocky Balboa, the Miracle On Ice, Prince of Penzance. He thinks he can win any fight, any game and any race. It’s Boy’s Own Manual stuff. The willingness to dream and then chase it like it’s destined to happen.

Ash Barty was a bit like this. “When you put your dreams and aspirations and goals out into the universe – and say them out loud – they have a funny way of coming true,” she said when she started believing she could win Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Then a funny thing happened.

When de Minaur gets the small yellow ball rolling against Raonic, one way or another, roaring out loud or under his breath, he’ll be telling the universe: “I want to win the Australian Open.”

There will be no excuses, no tank jobs, no foul-mouthed tantrums, no racquet-smashing, no half-arsed points, no abusing his courtside box. There’ll be nothing but sincere and absolute effort.

The dream may turn to dust. He may end up as Gloucester in Henry VI – “My troublous dreams this night doth make me sad” – but it’ll be a rollicking ride for as long as it lasts.

He seems a good soul. He’s not just chasing his own dreams. He wants to help others reach theirs.

He’s become a World Vision ambassador to help disadvantaged youth get what he has. Opportunities. You can’t chase a dream without those.

He had two teenagers from World Vision’s Young Mob program, Luc and Matthew, who has the nickname of “Mouse,” courtside when he practised on Rod Laver Arena this week.

World Vision Australia CEO Daniel Wordsworth said: “It’s great to see young Aussie high achievers like Alex wanting to give back and inspire children and young people through sport and education. Alex is passionate about seeing that children and young people are given the opportunities to realise their potential and fulfil their dreams.”

De Minaur added: “I’m honoured. Tennis has given me a platform, and now I want to use it to make a positive impact on the lives of children in need. Together with World Vision, we can make a real difference.”

Alex de Minaur with Mouse, left, and Luc

De Minaur, like most people, will be dwarfed by the 196cm, 98kg Raonic. But the mouse that roars will nip at his heels. Frustrate him.

It’ll be a grand occasion, an electrifying atmosphere, a midsummer night’s dream. If you’re thinking of buying a ticket or freeing your time to watch him on TV, go for it. He’s entertainment-plus. For the sincerity of effort and emotion.

He did his umpteenth convivial interview of the week on Friday. “I’m getting very good at answering the same type of questions, I’ll tell you that,” he grinned. “I’ve learnt my answers basically by heart right now. But no, it’s something that comes with winning matches and it’s a good problem to have. It’s been a big lead-up. There’s been a lot of focus. At the same time I’m putting my head down and getting all the work done that I need to. I’m a person that’s not easily distracted. I mean, my goals are plain and simple. And that’s to win tennis matches.”

Raonic is a former World No.3. His serve’s a nightmare. Asked his thoughts about drawing the Canadian, de Minaur replied: “What went through my mind? I had a feeling it’s going to be a tough match. He’s a very tricky opponent. The type of person that can take the racquet out of your hand. Unbelievable serve and he’s very aggressive. It’s a tough match but I’m excited. I’ll be ready for the challenge. I’ve got to focus on my side of the court. Do what I’ve been doing really well. Make a lot of balls and stay patient.”

Pressure as the hometown favourite? “Every year I come into the Australian summer, the Australian Open, I get asked the same question,” he said. The reporter apologised. “No, no, it’s not a bad thing,” de Minaur said. “Ever since the first time I stepped out here on court, it’s always been a privilege because I get to play in front of my home crowd, right? For me, there’s no better feeling. I’m lucky enough that I know as soon as I step out there on court, everyone in the crowd has got my back and I’m going to give 150 per cent. It’s a great feeling. Instead of nerves, I take it as excitement. It’s something that I’m very fortunate to have. I’m definitely looking forward to getting started.” His girlfriend, the English player Katie Boulter, said: “I don’t want to speak for him because I know he can talk for himself. But I’m sure he expects himself to come out and fight and do everything he’s done for his whole entire career. I’m a very private person. I’ve always kind of said that from stage one. I like to keep myself to myself … it’s definitely been fun to be a part of because it’s been a little bit of a circus, but a good circus. I think it’s awesome that he’s getting the attention that he really does deserve. He’s put the work in for it. It really does fill me with a lot of pride to actually watch him at this moment because I know everything that he’s been through.”

The mouse that roars is proud to have reached the top 10 in the world rankings this week. That was his first great career ambition. “I can wake up in the morning and know that I’ve achieved a massive milestone, which was very tough to get to,” he said.

“I didn’t know if I was going to achieve it. I can look at myself and say I’ve done it, that I’m a completely different player to what I was last year. It’s exciting because hopefully I’ve got bigger and better things to come. What’s the best thing? Honestly, if anything, it’s that I’m living my dream, right?”