Alex de Minaur puts paid to mental scars of 2020 season

After a difficult 2020 season, Alex de Minaur says he is ready for any adversity that comes his way this year and is determined to make an impact at the grand slams.

Australia’s top-ranked men’s tennis player forced himself to re-evaluate his ­perspective last year as he struggled with the challenges of COVID-19 life.

Alex de Minaur enjoyed an outstanding 2019 season that saw him break into the world’s top 20 for the first time, before he beat fellow rising stars Alexander Zverev and Denis Shapovalov in last year’s ATP Cup.

The 21-year-old snatched a set off Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of the same tournament to announce his readiness to challenge for an exclusive top-10 spot.

However, an abdominal ­injury forced him to withdraw from the Australian Open.

Alex de Minaur had a frustrating 2020 season. Picture: Getty Images

De Minaur lost his first match back in Mexico in late February, before the corona­virus pandemic shut down the ATP Tour.

Affectionately known as Demon, he spent the following months at his Alicante home in southeast Spain.

Even once he resumed, the Sydneysider battled to cope with quarantine bubbles at tournaments and not being able to operate normally.

“I wasn’t really happy on court, and it got to the point last year where I felt I had to change that. Had to have a look at myself in the mirror and put in the work with my psychologist,” De Minaur said.

“I feel like after the French Open I was able to take a step back and focus on what I needed to do, so I believe this year will be different.

“It’s looking like COVID will be around for a while, but I feel like I’m definitely ready for any adversity that comes this way … so it doesn’t take us by surprise now.”

De Minaur’s year-end ranking dipped from 18 to 23, but the silver lining in a difficult season was a maiden grand slam quarter-final at last year’s US Open. He rallied from two sets to one down to oust former top-10 player Karen Khachanov during a barnstorming run.

Alex de Minaur battled to cope with quarantine bubbles last year. Picture: Getty Images

After a disappointing first-round loss at Roland Garros, De Minaur reached the Antwerp final, then pushed world No.5 Daniil Medvedev to three sets at the Paris Masters.

“I would say we were very fortunate to be able to play tournaments in such a difficult year,” De Minaur said. “There were a lot of times in that year that were very tough, and not only as tennis players but for the rest of the world.

“We’re never going to take free time for granted any more. It’s definitely given me an appreciation of — if we’re allowed to at tournaments — to go off, wander, and get a bit of fresh air more often, than trying to stay in the room all day.”

De Minaur is hanging out to visit his favourite Melbourne coffee haunts and breakfast spots. He says he loves the city that will play host to a smorgasbord of tennis in the coming weeks.

Alex de Minaur can’t wait to play in front of his home fans in Melbourne. Picture: AFP

The hope is that having that sense of freedom again will drive him towards another deep grand slam showing, once he clears quarantine after ­winning the Antalya Open in Turkey two weeks ago.

“I’m feeling great,” he said. “I feel like I’m playing a very high level of tennis, and I feel one of the biggest goals for me is just to keep making second weeks of slams.

“I feel like I’m doing all the right things, and we’ll have the ATP Cup to kind of gauge where I’m at, and hopefully I can play and bring my best tennis for the Australian summer.

“I’ve missed it, it’s been a while, and I can’t wait to play in front of home fans.”

NADAL REMATCH THE PERFECT TEST FOR DE MINAUR

Alex de Minaur will get the chance to exact revenge against Rafael Nadal in an ATP Cup blockbuster rematch on the first night of the international teams’ tournament.

The ATP Cup schedule was released on Monday night, with Australia to face Spain next Tuesday before a match-up with the Stefanos Tsitsipas-led Greeks the following evening.

De Minaur pinched the first set off Nadal in the countries’ semi-final clash at last year’s inaugural event, only to lose to the 20-times grand slam champion for the third time in as many meetings.

Alex de Minaur heads into the ATP Cup in winning form. Picture: AAP

However, the world No.23 – fresh from winning the season-opening Antalya title – feels he’s “going in the right direction” against Nadal.

“It’s very exciting. To be honest, (knowing) my first match in the Australian summer is going to be against one of the greats is pretty special, so I’m really looking forward to it,” de Minaur said.

“I had a great match against him last year, so hopefully I can come out and bring a very high level again – that’s the plan.

“I knew going in there my matches were going to be absolutely brutal, but it’s a great test to see where I’m at, but hopefully I can go out there and play some of my best tennis.”

Only 12 countries are competing in this edition of the ATP Cup, with qualification based on the ranking of their No.1 player.

Rafael Nadal will spearhead the Spanish team in the ATP Cup. Picture: AAP

Australia received a wildcard entry as the host nation, with John Millman – who will lock horns with Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut – and doubles pair John Peers and Luke Saville rounding out the squad.

Serbia, Canada, Austria, Italy, Argentina, Russia, Germany, France and Japan join Australia, Spain and Greece in the tournament.

Australia’s hopes of repeating last year’s run to the final four could depend on de Minaur’s ability to dethrone Nadal.

The 21-year-old managed to defeat Alex Zverev and Denis Shapovalov earlier in the event.

“He’s one of those guys that if you drop concentration just a tiny bit, he’s going to be all over you,” de Minaur said of playing Nadal. “He doesn’t give a lot of free points at all and obviously he’s out there trying to win every single point.

Alex de Minaur and Rafael Nadal will clash again on the opening night of the ATP Cup in Melbourne. Picture: AFP

“It’s a lot of pressure, but I’m looking forward to it and this is where I want to be – playing these guys – so it’s a great opportunity for me.”

The ATP Cup start date was pushed back from Monday to Tuesday to afford quarantined players extra practice time.

Fans wanting to watch ATP Cup Group A and B matches will need to buy a Rod Laver Arena Zone ticket, while a John Cain Arena Zone ticket is required for Group C and D matches.

Group stage tickets cost $20 for adults and $5 for kids and go on sale on Thursday from noon AEDT via Ticketmaster.

ATP CUP SCHEDULE

February 2: Day 1

Group A: Serbia v Canada (10am AEDT)

Group B: Spain v Australia (5.30pm)

Group C: Austria v Italy (10am)

Group D: Russia v Argentina (5.30pm)

February 3: Day 2

Group A: Germany v Canada (10am)

Group B: Greece v Australia (5.30pm)

Group C: Italy v France (10am)

Group D: Russia v Japan (5.30pm)

February 4: Day 3

Group A: Serbia v Germany (10am)

Group B: Spain v Greece (5.30pm)

Group C: Austria v France (10am)

Group D: Argentina v Japan (5.30pm)

February 5, Day 4

Semi-final 1 (5.30pm — Rod Laver Arena)

Winner Group A v Winner Group D

Semi-final 2 (5.30pm — John Cain Arena)

Winner Group B v Winner Group C

February 6, Day 5

Final (5.30pm)

Originally published as Alex de Minaur puts paid to mental scars of 2020 season