Multiple grand slam champion Rod Laver believes compatriot Alex de Minaur has what it takes to be among the best players in the world.
The 81-year-old has praised De Minaur’s work ethic and determination. Describing him as an ’unbelievable talent’ when he first saw the Next Gen star in action a couple years ago. De Minaur is currently at a ranking high of 18th in the world. This season he has won titles in Sydney, Atlanta and Zhuhai. All of which was on an outdoor hard court. He is currently the second youngest player in the top 20 after Denis Shapovalov.
“If he gets a few breaks here and there he could be mentioned with the top players,” Laver said during an interview with atptour.com. “To me, he’s going to be a real force on the circuit and give the top guys all they can handle.”
De Minaur will kick-off his 2020 season during the first week of January at the inaugural ATP Cup where he will also play alongside Nick Kyrgios. Somebody Laver described as ‘probably having the best serve in the game.’ Australia has been drawn in the same group as Germany, Greece and Canada. They will play their group matches at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane.
“Tennis is great to have the both of them playing as well as they are now,” said Laver.
“That’s a good team.”
It is not the first time the 20-year-old has been tipped for big things in the future. Earlier this month, Todd Woodbridge made a bold claim about his grand slam chances. The past 12 major tournaments have been won by members of the Big Three (Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer). Woodbridge is a former top doubles player who won 16 major titles during his career.
“Alex de Minaur, he’s got the physically and he’s got the mind,” he said on Channel Nine’s Wide World of Sports programme.
“He’s just got to get some more weapons.
“I think in two more years (he will win his first grand slam).”
De Minaur has only played in 10 grand slam tournaments so far in his career. Only once has he reached the fourth round, which was at the US Open earlier this year. An Australian man hasn’t won a grand slam title since Lleyton Hewitt at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships.
This season de Minaur has won 41 out of his 61 matches played on the tour.
