Alex de Minaur’s motto, etched in sharpie on the facet of his tennis bag, is “Don’t fear”.
It has served the twenty second seed nicely as he superior to his second consecutive Australian Open fourth spherical on Saturday afternoon.
De Minaur cruised with a straight units win over Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, taking simply over two hours to advance, 7-6 6-2 6-1.
After the match, de Minaur stated he was stoked to get away in three units.
“Each time I get out right here I’ve to pinch myself. I simply get pleasure from what I do every single day and I’m simply blissful.”
“As a child, that is what you practice for. I’m fairly blissful, I received’t lie.”
Whether or not or not he’s “anxious” is one other factor.
He faces a fourth spherical match-up with both nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic or former world quantity 3 Grigor Dimitrov.
If Djokovic advances on Saturday evening, will probably be the primary time de Minaur and the Serbian champ have gone head-to-head.
“I’m going to have my popcorn prepared,” de Minaur stated throughout his on-court interview on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a hell of a match, each Novak and Grigor, (nice) opponents.”
However at his post-match press convention, a query from The New York Occasions revealed de Minaur may have a secret weapon.
The Aussie was requested if enjoying on Rod Laver Enviornment makes him “10 per cent higher”.
“I like enjoying right here in my again yard,” de Minaur stated.
“The Aussie crowd is wonderful they usually’ve had my again from day dot. I’ll at all times cherish that.”
He stated it’s a issue his opponents ought to contemplate when enjoying an Aussie Down Below.
“I feel the distinction is that the opponents not solely should play me however me and the entire crowd.”
He stated he approaches the duty the identical approach irrespective of the place he performs.
“I’m the identical, I attempt to deliver it each place I step out on the courtroom.”
On the prospect of going through Djokovic, de Minaur was constructive however stuffed with reward.
“Finally, he’s the most effective on this planet and I’m going to should take it to him. I’m going to make it as powerful as I can. That is the match that I would like. I’ll get fired up.”
He referred to as Dimitrov “one of the crucial proficient gamers on tour”.
“His prime degree is phenomenal. He makes tennis look very, very straightforward.”
De Minaur was additionally requested whether or not the balls at this yr’s Australian Open have been completely different than earlier years. A number of gamers have urged they’re softer than ordinary.
“I’ve heard loads of gamers voicing their opinions on the balls,” he stated.
“It’s been tough as a result of I’ve performed two matches in the course of the evening when it’s colder and it’s felt fairly gradual.
“The entire practise week it was sizzling every single day and the balls felt like they have been actually flying on the market. The balls have performed in another way each time I’ve stepped out on courtroom.”
