The Evolution of de Minaur’s Game
The Evolution of de Minaur’s Game
Alex de Minaur has always been known for his speed, grit, and relentless counterpunching. But over the past 12 months, his game has taken a decisive shift.
More Than Just a Counter-hitter
Traditionally, De Minaur was the quintessential counter-hitter — absorbing pace, chasing down balls, and forcing opponents to hit one more shot. His footwork was elite, but his toolbox lacked the finishing weight to consistently trouble the very best.
This past year, though, he is no longer relying solely on retrieval. He’s adding variety: inside-out forehands struck with conviction, aggressive slices that stay low, and a willingness to construct points rather than only react.
Footwork and Balance Redefined
De Minaur’s signature weapon has always been his movement. The difference now lies in how he’s using it.
Instead of only sprinting and recovering, he’s introduced more prep steps and crossover timing, giving him sharper directional changes and balance at contact.
Layer in strength training for base stability and motor control/proprioception drills, and you see a mover who is not just fast — but forceful in his positioning.
The Serve: Still a Weakness
For all these improvements, the serve remains his pressure point in big matches.
While his placement is sharp, the second serve under stress often lets him down. Against elite returners like Djokovic, Alcaraz, or Medvedev, this weakness forces him into long rallies just to hold serve — draining energy he needs for offense.
Too often, he muscles the ball rather than flowing through it, leading to breakdowns in rhythm, power, and consistency. Until he develops a reliable variation that can truly neutralize returners, the serve will remain the anchor holding him back in Slam semifinals and finals.
Federer’s Verdict
Federer summed it up best at the Laver Cup:
“He’s made big improvements since Wimbledon. More variety. A bit stronger. Those inside-out forehands weren’t there before.”
The Demon is evolving — not abandoning his defensive DNA, but layering it with aggression, balance, and the belief that he can dictate against anyone.
Whisperer Wrap
Alex de Minaur has shifted from a pure counterpuncher into an all-court threat. But if he wants to truly break through at Grand Slams, the serve must catch up to the rest of his game.
