Lleyton Hewitt responds when asked if Alex de Minaur could reach the Australian Open final this year

Posted by Admin January 2, 2025 Tennis

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Lleyton Hewitt is confident that Alex de Minaur has what it takes to win the Australian Open.

The 43-year-old is the last male player from his nation to win a Grand Slam after capturing the US Open title in 2001 and the 2002 Wimbledon trophy.

But the Aussies are longing for one of their own to clinch the title at Melbourne Park, something which has not happened since 1976, when Mark Edmondson lifted the Australian Open title.

But Hewitt, who has worked alongside Alex de Minaur when representing Australia in team events such as the Davis Cup, has plenty of belief that the World number nine can have a strong run at the first Grand Slam of the season.

Does Lleyton Hewitt think Alex de Minaur can reach the Australian Open final?

Lleyton Hewitt is the last Australian man to reach the final of the Australian Open. He made it to the championship match in 2005, where he lost to Marat Safin in four sets.

In the 20 years that have followed, none of Hewitt’s countrymen have reached the Australian Open final but he thinks that can change in 2025.

De Minaur has reached the fourth round at his home Grand Slam for the past three seasons and after a career-best year in 2024, Hewitt thinks the World number nine can have a solid run this season.

Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images

“Look, obviously now officially last year I struggled with an injury that sidelined me and took away one of my biggest assets, which was my movement. It took me a very long time to get back” Hewitt told reporters at the United Cup.

“It was safe to say that it had been a long time since I felt my feet moving as quickly as they did today and doing all of that without pain.

“It was a really good feeling. So kind of gave me — you know, gave me some goose bumps because it felt good to finally be back at that level.”

What is Alex de Minaur’s Australian Open record?

De Minaur has played at the Australian Open seven times and will make his eighth appearance in 2025.

He has played 20 matches at the tournament in his career and has claimed 13 victories.

De Minaur’s best results have come during his last three appearances at the Australian Open whether he reached the fourth round.

In 2024 he did not drop a set on the way to the last 16 where he faced Andrey Rublev. De Minaur opened a two sets to one lead, but Riublev lost just three more games for the rest of the match and claimed a 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-0 victory.