Todd Woodbridge, Sam Stosur, Mark Philippoussis and Alicia Molik are all impressed with Alex de Minaur’s kind at Wimbledon 2024.
London, Nice Britain, 10 July 2024 | Leigh Rogers
Many former greats of Australian tennis are on the All England Membership this week, watching on with delight as Alex de Minaur enjoys a career-best Wimbledon run.
We requested them to share their ideas on De Minaur’s efficiency up to now and charge his probabilities in opposition to world No.2 Novak Djokovic within the quarterfinals.
Todd Woodbridge
“I feel he’s acquired presumably the very best probability he’s had in his profession to beat one in all these huge guys in a Slam,” stated Woodbridge, a Wimbledon 1997 singles semifinalist.
“He actually has performed some nice tennis. (His fourth spherical) was actually spectacular, as a result of Arthur Fils can blow you away in case you give him that chance, so tactically he performed actually, actually sensible. I suppose the problem is arising match, however by all accounts, he’s tremendous.”
> READ: De Minaur battles into singles quarterfinals at Wimbledon 2024
The ten-time Wimbledon doubles champion famous that Djokovic’s confidence gave the impression to be rising, which might make him even more durable to beat.
“Alex goes to must play the match of his life, however he has overwhelmed him. He’s been in a quarterfinal earlier than. All the variables of expertise are in his favour,” Woodbridge stated. “It’s simply whether or not he can flip up and play, as I stated, the match of his life.”
An improved serving efficiency might increase De Minaur’s probabilities, based on the previous world No.1 doubles participant.
“The one ingredient of his sport that hasn’t been on level is first-serve percentages,” Woodbridge stated. “He’s giving too many alternatives for the opponent on second serve. Novak is likely one of the best returners of all time, so he’s going to reap the benefits of that. That’s most likely the important thing.
“The opposite half is understanding the way you’re going to make Novak transfer. You’ve acquired to check him the entire time along with his motion.”
Sam Stosur
Stosur, who scored six top-10 wins throughout her illustrious Grand Slam singles profession, believes De Minaur can beat Djokovic.
The US Open 2011 singles champion desires to see De Minaur take his probabilities and play with self-belief.
“I feel he’s taking part in nicely sufficient in the intervening time that there’s going to be alternatives,” stated Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup captain.
“It’s simply whether or not he steps up in these moments, absolutely believes and commits to what he must do in that second when he does get a chance. If he doesn’t, you most likely know what will occur. So, there’s type of no different alternative than to again your self.
“He’s going to must play exceptionally nicely, however there’s possibly no higher alternative for him.”
> READ: De Minaur prepared for Djokovic showdown at Wimbledon 2024
Mark Philippoussis
“After all he can beat Djokovic. He’s acquired the sport and the mentality to go in opposition to anybody,” stated Philippoussis, a Wimbledon finalist in 2003.
“However Djokovic’s confidence is gaining with each match that he’s taking part in I consider. I feel his confidence has additionally grown along with his knee.
“(However) if you wish to win a Grand Slam, you’ve acquired to play the very best on this planet and beat the very best, and this man is that.”
The 2-time Davis Cup champion is happy to see De Minaur adopting a extra aggressive mindset this season.
“He’s taking part in some nice tennis, among the greatest tennis of his profession,” Philippoussis stated. “He’s inside the highest 10, he’s taking part in with numerous confidence, he’s persevering with to place stress on the blokes. We all know the center he has and the velocity he has across the court docket, however the good factor is, which I consider is an enormous a part of him entering into the highest 10, is he’s being extra aggressive.
“He wanted to be stepping in and I feel he is aware of that he wants to begin creating these weapons to place the stress on, not simply working and having unimaginable protection. He’s acquired some nice offense and grass fits his sport.”
> READ: De Minaur “feeling fairly first rate” after damage scare at Wimbledon 2024
Philippoussis, who superior to Wimbledon’s second week six occasions in his profession, doesn’t consider De Minaur’s damage scare within the fourth spherical will likely be a difficulty.
“It’s regular for the second week at Wimbledon to be feeling niggling issues in your muscle tissue, as a result of it’s powerful the grass, you’re getting down low and coming into the web,” he defined. “It’s extra on the muscle tissue and the joints on the grass, so I’m positive numerous folks could be feeling it now with little issues right here and there.”
Alicia Molik
“It’s fairly phenomenal, isn’t it?” Molik stated of De Minaur’s latest performances. “I feel he’s a totally totally different participant now that he has full confidence.”
Molik, a former top-10 singles participant and two-time Grand Slam doubles champion, believes De Minaur’s sport is well-suited for grass-court success.
“He’s very a lot in the identical mildew as (Carlos) Alcaraz by way of motion,” she stated.
“(He’s a) phenomenal mover on the grass and simply his capacity, I feel, to adapt as nicely, to make use of his chip and slice (helps him). He’s only a actually compact participant along with his swings, which is why I feel he provides so many opponents a lot problem. He simply shuts them down with time.”
> READ: Jordan Thompson displays on Alex de Minaur’s “unreal” rise
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