Alex de Minaur: Speed, Discipline, and Miami Heat
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As part of Miami Living’s annual tennis interview series, we caught up with Alex de Minaur during the Miami Open to talk about heritage, routine, and the small adjustments that make a big difference in South Florida’s demanding conditions.
BY MARKIN ABRAS | PHOTOS ALEX DE MINAUR /INSTAGRAM
Alex de Minaur was born in Sydney to a Uruguayan father and a Spanish mother, a background that shaped both his identity and his competitive edge. He turned professional in 2015 after a strong junior career that included a runner up finish at the 2016 Australian Open boys’ singles. His speed and court coverage quickly became trademarks. By 2018, he had already reached ATP finals in Sydney and Washington, confirming his place among Australia’s rising players.
His first ATP title came in 2019 at the Sydney International. That same season, he added trophies in Atlanta and Zhuhai. He went on to win Antwerp in 2020, Eastbourne in 2021, and a second Atlanta title in 2022. In 2023, he captured the ATP 500 title in Acapulco and the biggest trophy of his career at the Canadian Open in Toronto, an ATP Masters 1000 event. In 2024, he defended his Acapulco crown and won the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam, bringing his total to ten ATP singles titles.
That multicultural background becomes especially visible in South Florida. When asked what he thinks of when Miami comes to mind, De Minaur answers directly: “It’s loud. It’s electric. Very Hispanic. It’s one of the few tournaments where I get to use my Spanish, which is nice. And yeah, it’s always a lot of fun.” He later adds something that often surprises fans: “I’ve got a lot of Spanish heritage, and a little bit of South American heritage as well, with my dad being from Uruguay.”
Competing at the Miami Open requires adjustments that may not be obvious from the stands. “You’ve got to be really on top of your hydration,” he explains. “The humidity is pretty brutal out there. And just make sure you conserve as much energy as you can while you’re off the court, so you’re able to compete for a long time.” Managing recovery is part of that discipline. “I try to stick to a routine,” he says. “Get to bed at the same time, not be on your phone or any technology too close to going to sleep. And making sure you’ve had enough time to digest your food before bed as well.”
Away from competition, his routine shifts but remains simple. “I like driving classic cars. I like the ocean. I like finding coffee shops. I just enjoy exploring the city I’m in.” In Miami, that balance between intensity and routine has produced steady results. His best run at the tournament came in 2022, when he reached the quarterfinals.
Alex de Minaur stats:
Age: 27 (February 17, 1999)
Birth Place: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Career High: No. 6 (July 15, 2024)
Singles Titles: 10
Miami Open Best: Fourth Round in 2024 and 2025
Prize Money: US $23,424,695