Australia has a seemingly relentless production line of talent at present. With the likes of Nick Krygios, Bernard Tomic and Thanasi Kokkinakis proving the successors to Lleyton Hewitt, the future looks promisingly consistent in terms of players expected to maintain rankings inside the Top 50. Yet not one of those three currently convinces as a potential Grand Slam contender, though there is one talent making his mark early this season that might just challenge that view.
Ranked between No. 327 and No. 367 are Max Purcell (18), Alex De Minaur (17), and Omar Jasika (19). Purcell has had promising results largely on the junior tour, with a few steps into the professional circuit. Jasika, long touted as a top prospect, is talented but to date has done little with the numerous wildcards afforded to him for high-profile events in recent years.
Instead, perhaps the best hope to join the likes of Kyrgios and co. is De Minaur. Born in Sydney of Spanish and Uruguayan descent, currently residing in Alicante, De Minaur had an excellent 2016. He reached the final of the Junior Wimbledon Championships, taking the first set against Denis Shapovalov of Canada before losing in three.
It was towards the end of the year when the young Aussie really came to prominence by taking his first major steps on the Challenger Tour. Entering the qualifying draw for the event in Eckental, Germany, De Minaur won through three rounds without the loss of a set.
In the main draw on merit, he proceeded to shock former Top 100 player and Challenger veteran Kenny de Schepper. Another win over Federico Gaio followed before arguably his most impressive win of the year, recovering from the loss of the first set against former Top 10 and 2010 Roland Garros semi-finalist Jurgen Melzer to win in three. After defeating Franko Skugor in the semi-finals, de Minaur fell in straight sets to Steve Darcis, but De Minaur had announced himself to the wider tennis community.
Right-handed with a two-handed backhand, De Minaur has carried over his strong end to 2016 into the 2017 season. Earning a place in qualifying for the Brisbane International, he proceeded to shock top seed Mikhail Kukushkin in straight sets, before a battle with young American Frances Tiafoe saw the Australian emerge the victor after three closely contested sets.
Though de Minaur has started to prove himself, Australian fans should temper their excitement at his performances this week, even if he is to progress further. Last year another Australian teenager, Oliver Anderson, enjoyed similar success to De Minaur, qualifying for the main draw after junior success. However, Anderson has not progressed in the rankings since then and actually sits far below De Minaur, currently beneath No.700.
Though too much pressure should not be placed upon De Minaur’s shoulders, it is hard not to feel excited about yet another young teen progressing from the junior tour, through qualifying events and into main draws.
