Rafael Nadal claims Alex De Minaur is Australian closest to Grand Slam success

James Richardson 04 Jan 2024 3:39 PM

Spain's Rafael Nadal, left, is congratulated by Australia's Alex de Minaur.

Rafael Nadal views Alex De Minaur as a future top ten player and potential big titles winner in the near future.

When asked about the state of the sport in Australia Nadal opined that a big breakthrough was imminent with De Minaur at the head of the charge.

An Australian man hasn’t won a Grand Slam singles title since 2002 when Lleyton Hewitt won his second Major at Wimbledon.

However, Nadal believes that Australia is close to having another Grand Slam winner.

Nadal saw off home hope Jason Kubler in the round of 16 in Brisbane and will face another Australian in the last eight in big-serving Jordan Thompson.

De Minaur is representing Australia in the United Cup where he handed Novak Djokovic a stunning defeat in singles action.

“I think De Minaur is now a player who is very close to the top 10, so I don’t see him far off (a level) to fight for very important things,” Nadal said.

“He’s been improving for the last couple of years, and he’s been able to create more damage upon the opponents now than before, that’s my opinion, I think since last year.

“I don’t have the whole information here to have a real analysis of the situation, but I see Alex as the best one today. Nick is not playing, so that’s how I see it.

“I have to play a tough opponent (Thompson) who is able to serve very well and is very solid from the baseline, and he knows how to go to the net too.

“That will be an important test for me, I hope I am ready to play good tennis again. Let’s see.”

Nadal has so far come through the early physical tests of his return well and has found a surprisingly high level of play.

“The positive thing is the first two matches haven’t been super long, of course I had some feeling after the first match, I’ve been a year without playing with the tension of a real match,” Nadal said.

“I felt a little bit, some muscles were tired here and there, but I felt good. The hip is not bothering me at all, so that’s super important for me.

“For the moment, I’m able to move myself with no limitations.”

Nadal faces Thompson in Brisbane on Friday aiming to reach the semi-finals in his return event after nearly a year out of the sport.