Alex de Minaur played a key role in Team World’s victory at the Laver Cup, going unbeaten at the three-day event.
On day two of the tournament, de Minaur defeated world number three Alexander Zverev before emerging triumphant in doubles alongside Alex Michelsen in the night session.
The Australian then clinched an important three points for Team World on the final day of the Laver Cup with his straight-sets win over Jakub Mensik.
He became the player with the joint-most wins from his country in the competition’s history, equalling Nick Kyrgios‘ tally of four.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Laver CupAndy Roddick reacts to Alex de Minaur’s Laver Cup performance
De Minaur helped his side, led by captain Andre Agassi, win their third Laver Cup in four years.
Reacting to his performances, former US Open champion Andy Roddick said of the world number eight: “We get into the laziness sometimes of ‘okay, he’s not as big as everyone else and he’s really fast, so that must mean he’s a purely defensive player.’
“No. Alex de Minaur’s shot shape is flat, it’s through the court, it stays low. That’s his superpower, ball flight. But he’s able to come in, as evidenced by doubles. He comes in a lot in singles.
“If you’re listening to any commentary and they’re like, ‘well, de Minaur is just a counterpuncher’, they haven’t watched enough of his matches.
“The guy is so capable from all parts of the court. Now, if we compare anyone to Carlos, then there are deficiencies, right?
“If we compare anyone to Roger or Rafa, then there are deficiencies, but let’s not bury our heads in the sand on this guy’s all-court ability.”
Alex de Minaur’s up-and-down North American hard-court swing
De Minaur’s time in North America has come to an end following the conclusion of the Laver Cup, and he will now get his Asian swing underway.
His stateside hard-court swing has been an up-and-down one, which started with a title at the Washington Open; his first of the season.
He managed to reach the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open, but crashed out in his opening match in Cincinnati to Laver Cup teammate Reilly Opelka.
At the US Open, de Minaur made the quarterfinals of a major once again, but was denied a maiden semifinal appearance by Felix Auger-Aliassime.