By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday July 9, 2024
Anyone who watched the conclusion of Alex De Minaur’s 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Arthur Fils on Monday at Wimbledon, knows the look in the Aussie’s eyes after he completed the match and sat at his chair. It was not the normal post-victory bliss that we typically see when a player reaches the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time.
No, this was more like sheer terror.
After jamming his hip on the last point of the match, De Minaur looked to his box as if to say “I’m cooked.”
Strange scenes on No. 1.
Alex de Minaur just played a fantastic match to reach his first Wimbledon QF, ousted Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, played a brilliant match point – and doesn’t celebrate at all.
Hobbles to his chair, sits down, looks up at his box & shakes his head. pic.twitter.com/thbewQCkk1
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) July 8, 2024
As it turns out, he’s far from that.
During his post-match press conference De Minaur assured reporters that he’d be just fine for Wednesday, when he meets seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic for a spot in the semifinals.
“I just slid out to a forehand on my first match point,” said De Minaur, who has now reached the quarterfinals at all four majors after Tuesdsay’s triumph over the 20-year-old Frenchman. “Felt like I jarred it a little bit. Kind of was a little bit ginger.
“Again, it’s probably a little bit of a scare more than anything. Situation was tight. In a way helped me relax and finish off the match.”
Asked where the injury was, and whether it was a knee issue, De Minaur said:
“It was kind of more hip area.”
All the feels. Newest last 🎱 club member 😈 @Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/XRBdenGNhy
— alex de minaur (@alexdeminaur) July 8, 2024
The 25-year-old World No.9, in the midst of a breakout season, is 37-12 on the season with two titles. He made his Top-10 debut in January, becoming the first Australian man to achieve the feat since Lleyton Hewitt in 2006.
Known for his physical toughness, the man they call “the Demon” is confident that he will not miss his chance to play the Grand Slam king on the biggest stage in the sport.
“I’m feeling pretty decent,” he said. “Again, body went through a pretty physical match out there. Body feels a little bit ginger everywhere. I’m not going to lie. I’ve done my recovery. I’m sure I’ll be feeling great tomorrow.”
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