Alex de Minaur has learned the hard way to maintain pace in tournaments, and one of the most important lessons is that it is not just about conserving physical energy.
The Australian number one admits he beat himself up, finding holes in his game even when he was winning. All this negative energy gradually drained him, just as long periods of gaming could drain his physical reserves.
So after a second Wimbledon performance that left much to be desired, he was still pleased, calling his 109-minute 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 dismissal of French veteran Adrian Mannarino “clean” even though he said: “I think I have more to give.”
Mannarino can be a tough opponent, but he didn’t play very well. De Minaur has also not reached the standards of which he is capable, but he was better than in his nerve-wracking first round win over Roman Andres Burruchaga and feels he will continue to improve.
“One of the things I learned is that in the early stages of my career I was too hard on myself, wanting to start these tournaments at the highest level,” de Minaur said.
“And often I would just get upset and let the negative feelings keep me from getting through the difficult moments.
“Ultimately, the first week is about trying to survive and move forward. It doesn’t matter how you do it, whether it’s beautiful or ugly, whether you play your best match or your worst match. As long as you cope, you give yourself a chance.
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“And I feel like once the first week is over, the second week will be a bit of a reset and then, ‘Okay, now you need to change your mindset, now you’re playing to go deep or win the tournament.’ These are two ways of thinking.
“The first week is about surviving and finding your way, digging deep, no matter what comes at you. And then the second week is when you can have a little more fun.”
De Minaur is now dating American Zachary Svaida, whom he has never met, and insists that is the case even after Ben Shelton’s departure opened a clear path to a first Grand Slam semi-final.
“The way I look at it is I’m in the third round. Of course I want to go deeper. I want to give myself that opportunity,” he said.
“But as much as I would like to just jump a few steps and reach the final, I have a lot of matches and difficult moments to go through.
“The seeds are losing. Trouble happens. This sport is unpredictable.”
De Minaur is the only Australian remaining in the men’s team after James Duckworth lost to Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 7-6 (6-3), 6-1.
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