Alex de Minaur has had enough of slogging on the clay just for the time being – but promises to be back at Roland Garros in less than two months refreshed and ready to shoot for two Olympic medals.
De Minaur was promising himself a quick refreshing break on Parisian golf courses after his battles on the heavy clay where he enjoyed his equal best-ever run in a grand slam at the French Open by reaching the quarter-finals.
But the tireless de Minaur won’t wait long before getting back into action on the English grass court circuit, plotting his assault on a career-best showing at Wimbledon in July, before a return to Paris for the Games.
Back at Roland Garros at the end of July, ready to take part in both the singles and men’s doubles with a partner yet to be finalised, de Minaur has been convinced by his renewed confidence on the red stuff that he can challenge for twin glory.
“In a way, I kind of surprised myself at Roland Garros. I showed that I’m perfectly capable (on this surface),” said de Minaur.
“Also, the Olympics will be best-of-three sets and what’s happened this past fortnight kind of shows there’s no reason why I can’t put on a good showing and perform and win matches.”
The shorter three-set format will open up the tournament more, he believes, while he also fancies the courts, which should be much firmer and faster in mid-summer, will also aid him.
“I’ll be looking forward to it. I think it will be a little bit warmer, so it should be fun,” he said.
Before then, though, the return to the grass court season where he enjoyed another breakthrough campaign last year to reach the final at the key Wimbledon warm-up tournament at Queen’s Club before running into a red-hot Matteo Berrettini in the second round at SW19.
De Minaur is convinced he can do better at Wimbledon, with his best showing being his last-16 appearance in 2022 when he was beaten agonisingly in a fifth-set super tiebreak by Chile’s Cristian Garin.
“I sure hope I’m not running as much on the grass as I was on the clay,” smiled de Minaur, who will move back to a joint career-best No.9 in the world next week.
“I’ll do my best to try to dictate a little bit more, and I’m hoping that my ball is going to penetrate a little bit more.
“But I’m excited for the grass, excited to let the surface help me out a little bit. It’s always a great part of the season for me, which I’m always looking forward to.
“We’ll see how it goes but it’s encouraging because I’ve never gone so deep here in the French Open, so hopefully I’ll take a lot of momentum and confidence on to the grass.
“We’ll probably get on the golf course the next couple of days, play some golf.
“At times you probably need time off the tennis court, but the sheer fact that I’m next stepping on to a grass court, it makes me feel in a good place.”