Sydney Davis Cup tie extra special for De Minaur
Alex de Minaur is determined to put his US Open disappointment behind him when he leads Australia into its Davis Cup finals qualifier against Belgium in Sydney on Friday, at a venue that holds a special place in the 26 year-old's heart.
"I’m looking forward to playing in Sydney, it’s no secret Ken Rosewall Arena is my favourite court," De Minaur said. "I have some amazing memories competing there. And to be back in Australia in is going to be a lot of fun."
The Australian’s first ATP Tour final came as a teenager in front of his home crowd at the venue in 2018, before beating Andreas Seppi to capture a maiden title at the same site 12 months later.
However, it is approaching four years since the world number-eight has performed in front of his fellow Sydneysiders. On that occasion, De Minaur rose to the occasion, winning his two singles matches to inspire Australia to a 3-2 comeback victory over Hungary in the qualifiers first round.
"We haven’t played Davis Cup at home since 2022, so it means a lot. We are hungry as ever to qualify again for the Final 8 and really give it everything," he said.
"It’s not often we get to be home at that time of year, and any chance to represent the green and gold is special."
Australia followed up that most recent victory on home soil by going all the way to the final of that year’s competition, falling to Canada at the final hurdle of the season-ending finale in Malaga. It followed this with a run to the same stage in 2023, before falling in the semi-finals in 2024.
Both times, Lleyton Hewitt’s side lost out to eventual champion Italy, ;led by world number-two Jannik Sinner. The captain has issued a rallying cry ahead of the showdown with Belgium in the hope of inspiring his charges to return to this year’s Final 8, which has moved to a new location in Bologna.
"Our focus is on getting through and giving ourselves the opportunity to move through to the Final 8 in Italy, so I’m asking the fans to come and pack out Ken Rosewall Arena in September to support us," Hewitt said.
