Dual grand slam finalist Mark Philippoussis is satisfied the brand new and improved Alex de Minaur can contend for Australian Open glory.
But the endorsement comes with a caveat.
Philippoussis believes de Minaur should proceed taking part in with the added conviction that has propelled the 24-year-old to the cusp of the world’s high 10.
Long derided for missing the firepower off the bottom to compete with tennis’ heavyweights on the most important phases, de Minaur has taken his recreation to new ranges in 2023.
His extra attacking mindset has helped the dogged baseliner declare six top-10 scalps – together with these of the nice Rafael Nadal and former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev – and attain a world rating of 11.
Philippoussis believes putting a stability with out red-lining is the important thing for de Minaur to noticeably vie for the title on the Melbourne Park main from January 15-29.
“We know he’s one of the best movers on the court, one of the best fighters with a huge heart,” the previous Wimbledon and US Open runner-up stated on Monday.
“My one question mark was, especially in best-of-five (sets) against those top guys, does he have the firepower to make them uncomfortable and hurt them?
“And I see this 12 months – and it is not simple to do – that he is been attempting to try this.
“He’s got that ball and he’s pressing a little bit more, looking to press, and that’s what’s been impressive and I believe he needs to continue to do that.
“It’s paying off and it is positively one thing that he wants so as to add into his repertoire.
“But look, when you got to 11 in the world, you’re on the right path. You’re doing amazing things and it’s shown with his consistency.”
De Minaur’s cost to 10 quarter-finals in 2023 matches his idol and Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt’s golden season of 2004, when it took Roger Federer to cease him within the US Open last.
Hewitt additionally made an impressed run to the Australian Open last three months later, a feat Philippoussis reckons de Minaur can pull off too if the Sydneysider continues on his upward trajectory.
“First of all, he needs to get through that first week and best-of-five sets is a different animal to best of three sets, a different thing to beat that top player.
“Physical and psychological to hold in there’s a totally different factor. Djokovic and Alcaraz, these guys are animals, the years they’ve had and the way constant they have been within the grand slams.
“So he has, without doubt, got the mentality and he’s got the physicality, but he’s going to have to just step up, be a little more aggressive which he has been doing.
“But he can positively contend.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
