De Miñaur: “I like to convey to the opponent that it is going to be a long and very tough match.

The Australian turned his match around with Medjedovic and talked about how difficult it is to beat him in 5-set matches: “they can play a brilliant set, but maintaining that level throughout the whole match is another story.

Alex de Miñaur likes marathons. The Australian is one of the tennis players who best know how to maintain the rhythm and level during long matches, as well as reach the end of the duel with enough fuel to not falter. He didn’t need to reach the fifth set in his match against Hamad Medjedovic, but he had to come back from a set down (6-7(5), 6-2, 6-2, 6-1) to advance to the third round of the 2026 Australian Open.

The Australian is aware of the pressure he faces playing as a local in Melbourne, and today he had a very demanding match against the Serbian player. However, Alex de Miñaur appeared very confident in the post-match press conference where he highlighted how difficult it is to beat opponents in five-set matches. De Miñaur not only valued the victory but also the process to achieve it, convinced that these kinds of battles shape players aiming to go far in a Grand Slam.

Alex de Miñaur defends his great tennis in five-set matches
“The opponent played a high-quality tennis. I stood firm, and as the match progressed, I was even able to raise my level. I like to feel that I can convey to the opponent that it will be a long and tough match, especially in best-of-five-set matches. However, if I could skip the first set and play directly like in the last ones, I would gladly accept it, for the sake of my legs.”

“I was playing at a very high level. It didn’t surprise me because I know perfectly well what I am capable of. It was frustrating to have to face it that way because I was doing many things right: serving very well and executing great shots at crucial moments. I am happy to have been able to withstand that moment, turn the match around, and advance to the next round.”

He had to fight to turn around Medjedovic’s initial set
“It’s an incredible feeling, although it’s a very tough situation. You’re in that delicate balance where the opponent seems to do everything right and everything goes well for them. It requires a lot of mental effort to stay in the present moment and not get frustrated. I think I managed it very well. Although the first set didn’t go as I wanted, I kept insisting. That’s the beauty of five-set matches: it’s a long time to maintain that level, and I felt that I could sustain it a bit more than him. That was the difference.”

About Frances Tiafoe, his next opponent
“Frances is very dangerous, he has a lot of power and experience. We have had great battles, and I expect another one if we face each other. He is very focused, and it would be an exciting match.”

He enjoys playing his matches at night
“Big matches are always played at night. If I want to go far, I have to perform well in those conditions. It doesn’t matter how well you play during the day; there comes a point where it’s only night matches. Today we had everything: we started with the roof open, changing winds, and then it closed, becoming an indoor match. I think I handled all those situations well, and that gives me a lot of confidence.”

He boasts about his resistance against powerful opponents
“It’s true that I have lost matches like that, but almost anyone loses if the opponent doesn’t make mistakes and hits everything. My image is that of someone hard to beat in five-set matches: they may play a brilliant set, but maintaining that level throughout the entire match is another story.”

“I am where I am because I also know how to play. Even when the opponent is inspired, there are ways to get them out of that zone. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I now see it as a personal challenge: to raise my level and show what I’m made of. That’s what is helping me in these types of matches,” states a more than positive Alex de Miñaur about his performance in the 2026 Australian Open, where he aims to bring joy to his compatriots.