De Miñaur is already thinking about Alcaraz: "I must show my best tennis, prolong the match, and put him in uncomfortable situations"

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Alex de Miñaur is the great Australian hope. The 26-year-old tennis player has the opportunity at this Open de Australia 2026 to make a strong statement and demonstrate that he can compete for a Grand Slam title, but for that, he must win for the first time in his career against Carlos Alcaraz.

The Australian is dispelling prejudices about his tennis. Always criticized for lacking variety and always playing the same game, he has unveiled himself at this Open de Australia 2026 by defeating in three consecutive matches two very aggressive players, Frances Tiafoe and Alexander Bublik, something that previously seemed impossible.

Regarding this change in his tennis, his great match against Bublik, what to expect from the challenge with Alcaraz, and the extreme heat conditions, he talked about in the press conference after his victory. 

A new Alex de Miñaur is getting ready to try to defeat Carlos Alcaraz for the first time

"Simply put, I am showing that I have improved and have more to offer. I got tired of the narrative that big hitters could take the racket out of my hands. Over the years, I have continued to grow, and one of my goals was precisely not to be a punching bag against this type of opponents but to stand up to them, dictate as well, and make them move. That's the most effective way to play against them. In these last matches, I have hit the ball as well as I can remember here in Melbourne."

About his great victory against Alexander Bublik

"I think the most important thing was to stay mentally connected throughout the match. I know what Bublik is capable of, and he had beaten me the last times we played. So, I was really looking forward to this duel. I am very pleased with the level I showed from start to finish."

Advancing to the quarterfinals in great physical shape

"It's essential. I have one of the toughest challenges ahead of me, and I need to arrive fully prepared. I feel quite fresh, and I know it will be a very physical battle because Carlos does many things extraordinarily well, including extending the rallies. He has the ability to hit very hard but also to lead you to long exchanges. It will be our first match in a Grand Slam, and I am eager to see what happens. Hopefully, it will be a long and highly contested match."

Sending a message to the Australian audience

"It is not my job to generate optimism. People can think what they want. I'm not going to say that I have no chance of losing because Carlos is on the other side, and it will be a very tough match. My job is to compete and let my tennis speak. I will go out to fight, to seek the match, and to enjoy the challenge. I have never succeeded before, but there is always a first time. Hopefully, it will be on Tuesday."

Ready to fight for his first victory against Alcaraz

"They were different matches, on different surfaces and at different stages of his career. This will be the first time we face each other in a Grand Slam. I know he is playing at a very high level. To compete with him, I will need to show my best tennis, prolong the match, and put him in uncomfortable situations. He has improved a lot in maintaining concentration, which makes him even more dangerous. It will be my most challenging test so far."

Well accustomed to the heat of Melbourne

"I am Australian; the heat does not bother me. I have grown up playing like this. If the heat rule is applied and the roof is closed, it will be almost an indoor match. When you step on the court, you adapt to what is there. With the roof open, there is always some wind in Melbourne; closed, the conditions are more perfect. I played well with the roof closed in another match, so I have no clear preference. What I do have is a strong desire to play," warns Alex de Miñaur, who is prepared to secure his first victory against Carlos Alcaraz at the Open de Australia 2026.
 

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, De Miñaur ya piensa en Alcaraz: "Tengo que mostrar mi mejor tenis, alargar el partido y ponerlo en situaciones incómodas"