Alex de Minaur Eyes Redemption at Washington Open Final, Years After His Breakout Moment

A Fast Ascent in Washington: De Minaur’s Career Comes Full Circle

When Alex de Minaur first stepped onto the Washington Open courts in 2018, few people expected him to become one of tennis’s most consistent fighters. Back then, de Minaur was just 19, still figuring out what it takes to survive on the ATP Tour. He jokes now about being "thin as a stick"—a kid facing adult-sized challenges, ranked outside the world’s top 70 and landing in his first big final almost by surprise.

Now, six years later, the setting is familiar but nearly everything else has changed. The Australian, who’s since broken into the world’s top 10 and clinched several ATP titles, is back in the Washington Open final. This time, he’s not the wide-eyed kid scrambling to prove he belongs. He brings the poise of a seasoned campaigner, determined to turn that early heartbreak into a trophy he can call his own.

A New Game, A New Mindset

What’s changed since that debut? De Minaur is quick to say it’s not just his body that’s filled out—though he smiles when he recalls how he used to look in old match photos. It’s also the way he sees the game. "I’m a more established player," he says, reflecting on his growth not just in ranking, but in attitude. Experience, it turns out, is a different kind of muscle.

This swing on the North American hard courts couldn’t have come at a better time. De Minaur admits that his results earlier this season didn’t always click. But in Washington, something just feels right for him. He says the quick courts there naturally reward his relentless style, allowing him to dig deep in rallies and frustrate opponents eager for easy winners.

Mental sharpness has been a huge factor. De Minaur describes his "great headspace from the get-go" in Washington, making it easier to reset after losses or difficult matches. He’s honest about having faced some tough moments—matches where the result hung by a thread and only his mental resilience saw him through.

That resolve was barely present in 2018. This year, he arrives at his 19th ATP final with much more than hope; he carries scars that have hardened into confidence. The memory of his loss in the 2018 final doesn’t haunt him, but it motivates him. That night, he says, taught him the value of playing on his own terms instead of being swept up by doubts or the weight of the moment.

• 19 ATP final appearances by age 25 signal growing consistency.
• An improved game style fits perfectly with Washington’s fast hard courts.
• Lessons from past heartbreaks transformed him into a mental competitor.

As he prepares for another shot at the Washington Open title, de Minaur isn’t promising an easy match. What he does promise is that he’ll play the way he wants—even if it means leaving everything on the court. The journey from "thin as a stick" to a genuine contender shows how far he’s come in just six years. And as he chases this elusive title, Alex de Minaur has never been more comfortable with who he is—or who he’s becoming on the world stage.