Alex de Minaur sheds toxic obsession with rankings ahead of Wimbledon 2025
'In the tennis world, victories are the best solution, so that almost alleviates the problem, but it's always brewing. I definitely felt pre-Roland Garros that I was on that edge where everything needed to work out perfectly, or I'm in some serious trouble. I felt like I was going to ignite.'
What puzzled de Minaur most was that he found himself at this point despite taking more time off this year than any other.
He took an extra break before Roland-Garros, and even skipped his s'Hertogenbosch title defence at the start of the grasscourt season to prioritise rest. De Minaur and his team, spearheaded by coach Adolfo Gutierrez, soon grasped that it would take more than sitting out events to fix the situation.
'I feel like everything I've done for the last four or five years has been so ranking- and points-driven that I've lost track of giving myself the best chance to perform,' he said.
'So, we shifted the focus a bit, and said, 'All right, what do the big players do?'. The big players don't need to rely on smaller tournaments. They just back themselves to go out and play at the highest tournaments, and they go out there, and don't need lead-ups. They're at that level, and they prove it.
'We've decided to go down that route. It gives me a bit more rest, but also it's about, 'Hey, your ranking isn't the most important thing' … it's more important for me to be mentally fresh and ready to go.'
De Minaur stretches for a ball in practice. Credit: Getty Images
De Minaur aims to avoid the 'toxic' cycle of expecting himself to raise the bar every time. The idea is to celebrate his achievements rather than be disappointed if he does not better his performance.
'You get stuck in that thought process that making the quarter-finals of a slam isn't good enough,' he said.
'That's a very normal, but bad, kind of toxic way to think about it, and it's not sustainable for the rest of my career. If I want to keep improving, I need to not be so focused on results over process, or putting that much pressure on myself.'
De Minaur wants a longer off-season for tennis players, and fewer mandatory tournaments, but a resolution is complicated and unlikely to happen soon.
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His immediate focus is on Wimbledon, where he stormed through the first four rounds last year, only to suffer a freak hip injury on the third-last point of his round-of-16 triumph over France's Arthur Fils.
Instead of facing Novak Djokovic in a blockbuster quarter-final two days later, de Minaur called an impromptu media conference to announce he was withdrawing. He also missed playing singles at the Olympics and did not compete again until the US Open about seven weeks later.
That de Minaur extended his run of major quarter-finals in New York said more about his famed mental resilience than any physical improvement.
He limped to the finish line last year in a devastating end to a season where he made his top-10 debut.
'It definitely had a bit of an impact [this year] when I first got on the grass,' de Minaur said.
'I was quite tentative with the way I was moving around the court, having flashbacks of what I would call probably an unnecessary slide on the grass, which caused an injury that was very difficult to handle for the rest of the year ... I had to learn to play with a lot of pain.
'But as I've had almost a full month on the grass; I've been able to start to feel comfortable again and move the way I was last year, and not be afraid to go out there and slide, which is a very good sign for me.'
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True to his new philosophy of not burdening himself with pressure, de Minaur said he was keeping expectations in check.
'I'm in a really good place with my game, and how I'm feeling mentally and physically, but I don't want to get too ahead of myself,' he said.
'I haven't had the normal prep that I've had in previous years, where I've played a lot of matches and had that chance to go into London with 'X' number of wins on the grass and that confidence from winning. But I'm ready, and I feel I can beat anyone.'
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The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
Alex de Minaur sheds toxic obsession with rankings ahead of Wimbledon 2025
'In the tennis world, victories are the best solution, so that almost alleviates the problem, but it's always brewing. I definitely felt pre-Roland Garros that I was on that edge where everything needed to work out perfectly, or I'm in some serious trouble. I felt like I was going to ignite.' What puzzled de Minaur most was that he found himself at this point despite taking more time off this year than any other. He took an extra break before Roland-Garros, and even skipped his s'Hertogenbosch title defence at the start of the grasscourt season to prioritise rest. De Minaur and his team, spearheaded by coach Adolfo Gutierrez, soon grasped that it would take more than sitting out events to fix the situation. 'I feel like everything I've done for the last four or five years has been so ranking- and points-driven that I've lost track of giving myself the best chance to perform,' he said. 'So, we shifted the focus a bit, and said, 'All right, what do the big players do?'. The big players don't need to rely on smaller tournaments. They just back themselves to go out and play at the highest tournaments, and they go out there, and don't need lead-ups. They're at that level, and they prove it. 'We've decided to go down that route. It gives me a bit more rest, but also it's about, 'Hey, your ranking isn't the most important thing' … it's more important for me to be mentally fresh and ready to go.' De Minaur stretches for a ball in practice. Credit: Getty Images De Minaur aims to avoid the 'toxic' cycle of expecting himself to raise the bar every time. The idea is to celebrate his achievements rather than be disappointed if he does not better his performance. 'You get stuck in that thought process that making the quarter-finals of a slam isn't good enough,' he said. 'That's a very normal, but bad, kind of toxic way to think about it, and it's not sustainable for the rest of my career. If I want to keep improving, I need to not be so focused on results over process, or putting that much pressure on myself.' De Minaur wants a longer off-season for tennis players, and fewer mandatory tournaments, but a resolution is complicated and unlikely to happen soon. Loading His immediate focus is on Wimbledon, where he stormed through the first four rounds last year, only to suffer a freak hip injury on the third-last point of his round-of-16 triumph over France's Arthur Fils. Instead of facing Novak Djokovic in a blockbuster quarter-final two days later, de Minaur called an impromptu media conference to announce he was withdrawing. He also missed playing singles at the Olympics and did not compete again until the US Open about seven weeks later. That de Minaur extended his run of major quarter-finals in New York said more about his famed mental resilience than any physical improvement. He limped to the finish line last year in a devastating end to a season where he made his top-10 debut. 'It definitely had a bit of an impact [this year] when I first got on the grass,' de Minaur said. 'I was quite tentative with the way I was moving around the court, having flashbacks of what I would call probably an unnecessary slide on the grass, which caused an injury that was very difficult to handle for the rest of the year ... I had to learn to play with a lot of pain. 'But as I've had almost a full month on the grass; I've been able to start to feel comfortable again and move the way I was last year, and not be afraid to go out there and slide, which is a very good sign for me.' Loading De Minaur said he was keeping expectations in check. 'I'm in a really good place with my game, and how I'm feeling mentally and physically, but I don't want to get too ahead of myself,' he said. 'I haven't had the normal prep that I've had in previous years, where I've played a lot of matches and had that chance to go into London with 'X' number of wins on the grass and that confidence from winning. But I'm ready, and I feel I can beat anyone.' Marc McGowan travelled to Wimbledon with the support of Tennis Australia. Watch Wimbledon live & free on the 9Network & 9Now. Stan Sport is the only place to watch every match ad-free, live & on demand. News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Man of many talents hits right note for Aussie tennis
One-time national junior swimming champ, accomplished flautist who's graced Sydney's grandest stages, Phantom of the Opera star and mentored by a great sportsman, let's just say James McCabe is one multi-talented lad. And the great news for Australian tennis? This gifted musical and athletic allrounder has finally alighted on the sport as his chosen destination, with the late-starting but quickly-blooming 21-year-old virtuoso now ready to play all the right notes on his Wimbledon debut. With his every progress being backed all the way by the great dual-code rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams, McCabe gazed over the All England Club and declared: "Definitely, tennis was the right choice. "It's been my dream. When I was a kid, the first thing I did was pick up a racquet when I was two-and-a-half, and dad took me on the court and I could hit the ball, I could actually rally. "Dad thought it was a bit silly, but he's got those videos somewhere, and I had a diaper on at the time!" But McCabe, born in the Philippines to a Filipina mother and Irish father and a proud Sydneysider from the moment he moved to Australia with the family at six months old, had to wait a long time before he finally turned his attention to tennis three years ago. Er, that's because he was just a bit too busy being one of life's achievers. It was exhausting just listening to McCabe relating how during his school years in Sydney, after he got his swimming scholarship to Trinity Grammar, he would regularly get just a few hours sleep, fitting in all his early morning training in the pool with a bewildering amount of after-school musical fare. "I was a flautist in orchestras and symphonic wind bands, marching bands and musicals, and played in the biggest venues in Sydney, like Town Hall and St Andrew's Cathedral and that was a big part of my life. And now it's tennis," explained McCabe, who's a fine choral soloist, guitarist and pianist. Now he's on one of sport's greatest stages instead as the world No.181 after making huge progress over the last three years, culminating in his qualification for his maiden Wimbledon last week, which has set up his debut against Hungary's world No.58 Fabian Marozsan on Tuesday. "When you're playing music and stuff, you're basically looking to be perfect, but in tennis, you can't be perfect," he shrugged, comparing his two worlds. "You're versing someone else, and they're doing everything that you basically don't want to do, that's the game. In tennis, you've got to take the punches, but also give them back." Which brings us to Williams, the All Blacks great who's a long-time family friend and mentor to McCabe. When McCabe came through qualifying last week, Sonny Bill sent him a message voicing his congratulations. "I'm very lucky and very grateful that I have him mentoring me and giving me all of his tips and advice, maybe the greatest of all-time in his field who carries himself so humbly." Williams has got his own big sporting date lined up for next month, his boxing blockbuster in Sydney with rugby league hard man Paul Gallen. Asked for his prediction, McCabe smiled: "I guess I definitely have Sunny, he's always my number one." But could McCabe, a national junior 200m butterfly champ before he turned his back on the swimming grind, turn out to be as brilliant a sporting allrounder as his hero? "Everyone has their own path, and you gotta make the most out of what you can make of it," shrugged McCabe. "And if you believe in your dream, anything's possible." One-time national junior swimming champ, accomplished flautist who's graced Sydney's grandest stages, Phantom of the Opera star and mentored by a great sportsman, let's just say James McCabe is one multi-talented lad. And the great news for Australian tennis? This gifted musical and athletic allrounder has finally alighted on the sport as his chosen destination, with the late-starting but quickly-blooming 21-year-old virtuoso now ready to play all the right notes on his Wimbledon debut. With his every progress being backed all the way by the great dual-code rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams, McCabe gazed over the All England Club and declared: "Definitely, tennis was the right choice. "It's been my dream. When I was a kid, the first thing I did was pick up a racquet when I was two-and-a-half, and dad took me on the court and I could hit the ball, I could actually rally. "Dad thought it was a bit silly, but he's got those videos somewhere, and I had a diaper on at the time!" But McCabe, born in the Philippines to a Filipina mother and Irish father and a proud Sydneysider from the moment he moved to Australia with the family at six months old, had to wait a long time before he finally turned his attention to tennis three years ago. Er, that's because he was just a bit too busy being one of life's achievers. It was exhausting just listening to McCabe relating how during his school years in Sydney, after he got his swimming scholarship to Trinity Grammar, he would regularly get just a few hours sleep, fitting in all his early morning training in the pool with a bewildering amount of after-school musical fare. "I was a flautist in orchestras and symphonic wind bands, marching bands and musicals, and played in the biggest venues in Sydney, like Town Hall and St Andrew's Cathedral and that was a big part of my life. And now it's tennis," explained McCabe, who's a fine choral soloist, guitarist and pianist. Now he's on one of sport's greatest stages instead as the world No.181 after making huge progress over the last three years, culminating in his qualification for his maiden Wimbledon last week, which has set up his debut against Hungary's world No.58 Fabian Marozsan on Tuesday. "When you're playing music and stuff, you're basically looking to be perfect, but in tennis, you can't be perfect," he shrugged, comparing his two worlds. "You're versing someone else, and they're doing everything that you basically don't want to do, that's the game. In tennis, you've got to take the punches, but also give them back." Which brings us to Williams, the All Blacks great who's a long-time family friend and mentor to McCabe. When McCabe came through qualifying last week, Sonny Bill sent him a message voicing his congratulations. "I'm very lucky and very grateful that I have him mentoring me and giving me all of his tips and advice, maybe the greatest of all-time in his field who carries himself so humbly." Williams has got his own big sporting date lined up for next month, his boxing blockbuster in Sydney with rugby league hard man Paul Gallen. Asked for his prediction, McCabe smiled: "I guess I definitely have Sunny, he's always my number one." But could McCabe, a national junior 200m butterfly champ before he turned his back on the swimming grind, turn out to be as brilliant a sporting allrounder as his hero? "Everyone has their own path, and you gotta make the most out of what you can make of it," shrugged McCabe. "And if you believe in your dream, anything's possible." One-time national junior swimming champ, accomplished flautist who's graced Sydney's grandest stages, Phantom of the Opera star and mentored by a great sportsman, let's just say James McCabe is one multi-talented lad. And the great news for Australian tennis? This gifted musical and athletic allrounder has finally alighted on the sport as his chosen destination, with the late-starting but quickly-blooming 21-year-old virtuoso now ready to play all the right notes on his Wimbledon debut. With his every progress being backed all the way by the great dual-code rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams, McCabe gazed over the All England Club and declared: "Definitely, tennis was the right choice. "It's been my dream. When I was a kid, the first thing I did was pick up a racquet when I was two-and-a-half, and dad took me on the court and I could hit the ball, I could actually rally. "Dad thought it was a bit silly, but he's got those videos somewhere, and I had a diaper on at the time!" But McCabe, born in the Philippines to a Filipina mother and Irish father and a proud Sydneysider from the moment he moved to Australia with the family at six months old, had to wait a long time before he finally turned his attention to tennis three years ago. Er, that's because he was just a bit too busy being one of life's achievers. It was exhausting just listening to McCabe relating how during his school years in Sydney, after he got his swimming scholarship to Trinity Grammar, he would regularly get just a few hours sleep, fitting in all his early morning training in the pool with a bewildering amount of after-school musical fare. "I was a flautist in orchestras and symphonic wind bands, marching bands and musicals, and played in the biggest venues in Sydney, like Town Hall and St Andrew's Cathedral and that was a big part of my life. And now it's tennis," explained McCabe, who's a fine choral soloist, guitarist and pianist. Now he's on one of sport's greatest stages instead as the world No.181 after making huge progress over the last three years, culminating in his qualification for his maiden Wimbledon last week, which has set up his debut against Hungary's world No.58 Fabian Marozsan on Tuesday. "When you're playing music and stuff, you're basically looking to be perfect, but in tennis, you can't be perfect," he shrugged, comparing his two worlds. "You're versing someone else, and they're doing everything that you basically don't want to do, that's the game. In tennis, you've got to take the punches, but also give them back." Which brings us to Williams, the All Blacks great who's a long-time family friend and mentor to McCabe. When McCabe came through qualifying last week, Sonny Bill sent him a message voicing his congratulations. "I'm very lucky and very grateful that I have him mentoring me and giving me all of his tips and advice, maybe the greatest of all-time in his field who carries himself so humbly." Williams has got his own big sporting date lined up for next month, his boxing blockbuster in Sydney with rugby league hard man Paul Gallen. Asked for his prediction, McCabe smiled: "I guess I definitely have Sunny, he's always my number one." But could McCabe, a national junior 200m butterfly champ before he turned his back on the swimming grind, turn out to be as brilliant a sporting allrounder as his hero? "Everyone has their own path, and you gotta make the most out of what you can make of it," shrugged McCabe. "And if you believe in your dream, anything's possible." One-time national junior swimming champ, accomplished flautist who's graced Sydney's grandest stages, Phantom of the Opera star and mentored by a great sportsman, let's just say James McCabe is one multi-talented lad. And the great news for Australian tennis? This gifted musical and athletic allrounder has finally alighted on the sport as his chosen destination, with the late-starting but quickly-blooming 21-year-old virtuoso now ready to play all the right notes on his Wimbledon debut. With his every progress being backed all the way by the great dual-code rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams, McCabe gazed over the All England Club and declared: "Definitely, tennis was the right choice. "It's been my dream. When I was a kid, the first thing I did was pick up a racquet when I was two-and-a-half, and dad took me on the court and I could hit the ball, I could actually rally. "Dad thought it was a bit silly, but he's got those videos somewhere, and I had a diaper on at the time!" But McCabe, born in the Philippines to a Filipina mother and Irish father and a proud Sydneysider from the moment he moved to Australia with the family at six months old, had to wait a long time before he finally turned his attention to tennis three years ago. Er, that's because he was just a bit too busy being one of life's achievers. It was exhausting just listening to McCabe relating how during his school years in Sydney, after he got his swimming scholarship to Trinity Grammar, he would regularly get just a few hours sleep, fitting in all his early morning training in the pool with a bewildering amount of after-school musical fare. "I was a flautist in orchestras and symphonic wind bands, marching bands and musicals, and played in the biggest venues in Sydney, like Town Hall and St Andrew's Cathedral and that was a big part of my life. And now it's tennis," explained McCabe, who's a fine choral soloist, guitarist and pianist. Now he's on one of sport's greatest stages instead as the world No.181 after making huge progress over the last three years, culminating in his qualification for his maiden Wimbledon last week, which has set up his debut against Hungary's world No.58 Fabian Marozsan on Tuesday. "When you're playing music and stuff, you're basically looking to be perfect, but in tennis, you can't be perfect," he shrugged, comparing his two worlds. "You're versing someone else, and they're doing everything that you basically don't want to do, that's the game. In tennis, you've got to take the punches, but also give them back." Which brings us to Williams, the All Blacks great who's a long-time family friend and mentor to McCabe. When McCabe came through qualifying last week, Sonny Bill sent him a message voicing his congratulations. "I'm very lucky and very grateful that I have him mentoring me and giving me all of his tips and advice, maybe the greatest of all-time in his field who carries himself so humbly." Williams has got his own big sporting date lined up for next month, his boxing blockbuster in Sydney with rugby league hard man Paul Gallen. Asked for his prediction, McCabe smiled: "I guess I definitely have Sunny, he's always my number one." But could McCabe, a national junior 200m butterfly champ before he turned his back on the swimming grind, turn out to be as brilliant a sporting allrounder as his hero? "Everyone has their own path, and you gotta make the most out of what you can make of it," shrugged McCabe. "And if you believe in your dream, anything's possible."
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Injury-hit Krejcikova relishes return to defend title
Defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova will step into the All England Club this week carrying both the weight of expectation and a lingering injury concern, yet the Czech appears utterly unfazed by either. Days after withdrawing from the Eastbourne Open with a thigh injury, Krejcikova seemed calmly assured for someone who defied the odds at Wimbledon last year when she stunned Grand Slam champions en route to the title as the 31st seed. Krejcikova has had limited preparation after a back injury sidelined her for six months, playing six matches since her return in May. "It's definitely not difficult (returning as defending champion). It's actually very, very nice to be here and very nice to play, even after all the time I was out," Krejcikova said. "So I'm enjoying it, I'm happy to be here. I find it tough, complicated, but I don't find it difficult. I'm very much looking forward to play on Tuesday. "It's basically a new tournament, even though I won it last year and I have great memories for this one. I want to come here and do well again. The preparation is the same, I've been working really hard to come back and to enjoy this position." Krejcikova's first-round opponent is Alexandra Eala, the 20-year-old Filipino who announced herself by stunning Iga Swiatek to reach the semi-finals at the Miami Open in March before reaching the Eastbourne final, where she lost to Australia's Maya Joint after wasting four match points. "I don't really know that much about her yet because she's obviously a young player, an upcoming player and one of the players of the new generation," Krejcikova said. "But I saw some rallies, I saw some matches. I know that she was doing quite well in the first half of the year, so I'm looking forward. It's going to be a great matchup. I'm looking forward to playing her to see where the young generation is." Defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova will step into the All England Club this week carrying both the weight of expectation and a lingering injury concern, yet the Czech appears utterly unfazed by either. Days after withdrawing from the Eastbourne Open with a thigh injury, Krejcikova seemed calmly assured for someone who defied the odds at Wimbledon last year when she stunned Grand Slam champions en route to the title as the 31st seed. Krejcikova has had limited preparation after a back injury sidelined her for six months, playing six matches since her return in May. "It's definitely not difficult (returning as defending champion). It's actually very, very nice to be here and very nice to play, even after all the time I was out," Krejcikova said. "So I'm enjoying it, I'm happy to be here. I find it tough, complicated, but I don't find it difficult. I'm very much looking forward to play on Tuesday. "It's basically a new tournament, even though I won it last year and I have great memories for this one. I want to come here and do well again. The preparation is the same, I've been working really hard to come back and to enjoy this position." Krejcikova's first-round opponent is Alexandra Eala, the 20-year-old Filipino who announced herself by stunning Iga Swiatek to reach the semi-finals at the Miami Open in March before reaching the Eastbourne final, where she lost to Australia's Maya Joint after wasting four match points. "I don't really know that much about her yet because she's obviously a young player, an upcoming player and one of the players of the new generation," Krejcikova said. "But I saw some rallies, I saw some matches. I know that she was doing quite well in the first half of the year, so I'm looking forward. It's going to be a great matchup. I'm looking forward to playing her to see where the young generation is." Defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova will step into the All England Club this week carrying both the weight of expectation and a lingering injury concern, yet the Czech appears utterly unfazed by either. Days after withdrawing from the Eastbourne Open with a thigh injury, Krejcikova seemed calmly assured for someone who defied the odds at Wimbledon last year when she stunned Grand Slam champions en route to the title as the 31st seed. Krejcikova has had limited preparation after a back injury sidelined her for six months, playing six matches since her return in May. "It's definitely not difficult (returning as defending champion). It's actually very, very nice to be here and very nice to play, even after all the time I was out," Krejcikova said. "So I'm enjoying it, I'm happy to be here. I find it tough, complicated, but I don't find it difficult. I'm very much looking forward to play on Tuesday. "It's basically a new tournament, even though I won it last year and I have great memories for this one. I want to come here and do well again. The preparation is the same, I've been working really hard to come back and to enjoy this position." Krejcikova's first-round opponent is Alexandra Eala, the 20-year-old Filipino who announced herself by stunning Iga Swiatek to reach the semi-finals at the Miami Open in March before reaching the Eastbourne final, where she lost to Australia's Maya Joint after wasting four match points. "I don't really know that much about her yet because she's obviously a young player, an upcoming player and one of the players of the new generation," Krejcikova said. "But I saw some rallies, I saw some matches. I know that she was doing quite well in the first half of the year, so I'm looking forward. It's going to be a great matchup. I'm looking forward to playing her to see where the young generation is." Defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova will step into the All England Club this week carrying both the weight of expectation and a lingering injury concern, yet the Czech appears utterly unfazed by either. Days after withdrawing from the Eastbourne Open with a thigh injury, Krejcikova seemed calmly assured for someone who defied the odds at Wimbledon last year when she stunned Grand Slam champions en route to the title as the 31st seed. Krejcikova has had limited preparation after a back injury sidelined her for six months, playing six matches since her return in May. "It's definitely not difficult (returning as defending champion). It's actually very, very nice to be here and very nice to play, even after all the time I was out," Krejcikova said. "So I'm enjoying it, I'm happy to be here. I find it tough, complicated, but I don't find it difficult. I'm very much looking forward to play on Tuesday. "It's basically a new tournament, even though I won it last year and I have great memories for this one. I want to come here and do well again. The preparation is the same, I've been working really hard to come back and to enjoy this position." Krejcikova's first-round opponent is Alexandra Eala, the 20-year-old Filipino who announced herself by stunning Iga Swiatek to reach the semi-finals at the Miami Open in March before reaching the Eastbourne final, where she lost to Australia's Maya Joint after wasting four match points. "I don't really know that much about her yet because she's obviously a young player, an upcoming player and one of the players of the new generation," Krejcikova said. "But I saw some rallies, I saw some matches. I know that she was doing quite well in the first half of the year, so I'm looking forward. It's going to be a great matchup. I'm looking forward to playing her to see where the young generation is."
