Australian tennis player Alex de Minaur is preparing for the upcoming US Open with hopes of improving on his quarterfinal finish at Flushing Meadows last year. The 24-year-old, currently ranked No. 7 in the world, has shown significant promise on hard courts throughout his career, winning eight of his 11 ATP titles on the surface, but continues to grapple with consistency in his serve during crucial matches.
De Minaur’s run at the 2025 US Open ended in the quarterfinals with a four-set loss to Felix Auger-Aliassime, despite taking the first set. The match was marred by 11 double faults and a first-serve percentage just above 40%, which he acknowledged in the aftermath as a key weakness that must improve if he is to contend with top-ranked opponents in the latter stages of tournaments.
Over the past year, statistical analysis shows minimal improvement in his serving metrics. Since last year’s US Open, his first-serve percentage on hard courts has marginally increased from 56.2% to 59.23%, though his percentage of points won on first serve slightly declined from 73.5% to 72.2%. His rates of aces and double faults have remained almost unchanged, leaving his overall serve rating steady within the top 50 on the ATP Tour.
The challenge, according to de Minaur, lies less in raw statistics and more in maintaining composure and execution under pressure. He has openly reflected on his struggles to sustain high-level performance during critical moments. For instance, in his 2026 Australian Open quarterfinal loss to Carlos Alcaraz, attempting to match Alcaraz’s aggressive groundstrokes took him out of his comfort zone. Similarly, a disappointing showing at the French Open saw him unable to identify the reasons for his uncharacteristic performance.
De Minaur has repeatedly demonstrated a candid approach to self-assessment, a trait not always common among top-tier players. He attributes his frustration following recent Grand Slam defeats to a deep desire for continual improvement. Speaking at the Washington Open earlier this month, he emphasized the difficulty of breaking new ground as competition intensifies at the top level and the mental challenge of convincing himself that further progress is achievable.
In June and July, de Minaur took a four-week break from the tour, during which he married fellow tennis professional Katie Boulter in a private ceremony in England. The couple then spent time in Tuscany before he returned to the court at the Washington Open, where he aimed to defend his ATP 500 title and regain momentum ahead of the US Open.
The break provided de Minaur with an opportunity to rest and recharge during a demanding part of the season, which he described as crucial for maintaining energy through the year's final stretch. He expressed optimism about finishing the year strongly and continuing to refine his game, particularly under the pressure of big matches.
As the US Open approaches, all eyes will be on de Minaur to see how he applies his experiences and growth following last year’s disappointing loss at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with hopes that he has successfully addressed the mental and technical challenges surrounding his serve.