[ad_1]
Newcombe medalist Alex de Minaur has revealed his off-season break lasted just three days as he ramps up his preparation for the Australian summer of tennis.
The 24-year-old was bestowed Tennis Australia’s highest honour on Monday night accepted the award via video message as he pushes on with his training from his base in Spain ahead of next month’s Australian Open.
“Right now we’re in week two of pre-season so not even orange juice at the moment, it’s strictly water,” de Minaur said of his celebrations.
READ MORE: Entire Tigers board sacked, CEO resigns
READ MORE: Billion-dollar baseball star to play for just $3m a year
READ MORE: Netball Australia boss quits after ugly pay war
De Minaur claimed the award outright this year after sharing the tribute with Australian tennis champion Ash Barty in 2018.
He now joins five-time winner Barty, three-time winner Sam Stosur and two-time winner Dylan Alcott as the only players to have claimed the medal on more than one occasion.
“I’m pretty happy to be among them and in pretty good company,” de Minaur said.
The world No.12 said he only allowed himself less than a week of downtime before resuming training for his ninth season on the professional tour, believing if he’s not working he won’t be winning.
Having hovered on the cusp of the top 10 at the back of the year, de Minaur stressed just how difficult it was to go deep in slams and tournaments.
“A lot of people don’t realise how much work it takes to take miniature steps,” he said.
“All of the [top] guys, they’re very good players, so you’ve got to try and find a little edge.”
Victory over Daniil Medvedev last November, his first career win over a top five-ranked opponent, lit the fuse for six conquests over top-10 players last season.
“All of a sudden I had the belief and the confidence that I could do it on any given day,” de Minaur.
Watch Australia take on the United States and Great Britain in the 2024 United Cup from December 29. Every match ad free and on demand on Stan Sport
The New South Welshman will channel that belief at the Australian Open where advancing past the fourth round for the first time after six attempts feels possible.
De Minaur will open his 2024 season leading Australia’s United Cup campaign in Perth from Friday, December 29.
[ad_2]
