The teenagers have come out on top at this week’s Australian Open playoffs with 18-year-old Alex De Minaur and 17-year-old Destanee Aiava securing their place in Melbourne next month.
De Minaur, a former Wimbledon junior finalist, overcame top seed Alex Bolt 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(1), 6-1, in Sunday’s final. It was a case of sweet revenge for the teenager following his loss to Bolt earlier this year at a Challenger tournament in Australia.
“I feel like I thoroughly deserve this one – that’s what happens when you are actually playing for one,” De Minaur said about receiving the wildcard.
“I couldn’t be happier with my level and I can’t wait for the Australian summer to come.”
Impressively the third set wobble failed to deter the youngster despite his inexperience. The world No.210 has earned just over $244,000 in prize money during his career.
“At the end of the day it’s tennis, so if you let those type of things affect you, it’s really gonna hurt you in the long run,” he said.
“I just told myself that Bolty was too good, I still had my chances, (and that) I’ve gotta start really well this fourth set and try to keep the momentum going.”
The son of Spanish and Uruguayan parents, De Minaur has been tipped as a future star of Australian tennis. He marked his grand slam debut at this years Australian Open with a first round win over Gerald Melzer, before falling to Sam Querrey. Since then, he has reached the final of a Challenger event in Segovia and also won a Futures title in Portugal.
Looking ahead to the first grand slam of 2018, De Minaur believes he will be in a better position than that of 12 months ago.
“I’m really looking forward to it (playing Australian Open 2018). I think I’m a better player all round – physically and mentally (compared with 12 months ago).” He said.
Melbourne will be the fourth grand slam main draw that the Spanish-based player has participated in.
Destanee shines
In the women’s final, Aiava eased her way past doubles partner Tammi Patterson 6-4, 6-0. The world No.153 encountered her only blip at the start of the match. After racing out to a 3-0 lead, Patterson fought back to level 3-3. After that, the 17-year-old won nine out of 10 games to secure a wildcard into her second grand slam main draw.
“I knew I finished off the first set strong so I just wanted to to the same thing and keep building and building momentum and keep firing my shots with confidence,” she said.
“I was trying not to think about the prize at the end. I just wanted to go for it.”
The triumph occurs a week after Aiava missed out on a wildcard for the Australian Open. At the national under 18s championships, she was edged out by Jaimee Fourlis In the final.
“I came into it this week thinking that I’ll just go for it and I have nothing to lose,” said the No.2 seed.
“If it’s a positive outcome then so be it, or negative, then that’s fine as well. And I’m young anyway, so there’s not really much expectation.”
Aiava ends 2017 with two ITF $25,000 titles to her name from Perth and Mornington. She is currently the sixth highest ranked Australian on the WTA Tour.
The teenager will kick-off her 2018 season at the Brisbane International.
