Along with the world No 24, Alex de Minaur will lead the local charge in Melbourne with nine other men and six women also flying the flag
In a regular lead-in to the Australian Open, Alex de Minaur would be a headline act in Melbourne’s metropolitan newspapers and a lead item on all TV news bulletins. He defeated reigning Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal in the United Cup and US Open winner Dominic Thiem at Kooyong prior to Thursday’s outing against Andy Murray.
All this after leading Australia to the Davis Cup final in Spain last November. Aged 23, the 2020 US Open quarter-finalist is in strong form and entering the golden years of his career. He will receive strong support as he tries to end the drought of homegrown winners that dates back to Mark Edmondson’s triumph in 1976.