Alex de Minaur is confident his injury problems are behind him and feels he is in his best-ever form ahead of the Australian Open.
The world number 9 regained his best in the first round of the United Cup in Sydney, putting in a commanding performance to beat Argentina's Tomas Etcheverry 6-1, 6-4 at the Ken Rosewall Arena.
De Minaur had been plagued by a hip injury in his breakout 2024 season, suffered during his run at Wimbledon in July.
The 25-year-old had risen to No. 6 in the world after reaching the second week of each Slam, including the quarter-finals of the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Australia's number one continued to be hampered by the hip problem while playing in the Davis Cup in November, but now feels the worst is over after returning to Australia.
“It's definitely the best I've felt since Wimbledon,” de Minaur said on Saturday.
Alex de Minaur is in his best shape ahead of the Australian Open
DeMinaur and his fiancée Katie Boulter could face each other later this week in the United Cup
'I'm very happy with how the body moves, how it feels.
“It's been a long time coming, but he feels in the best shape he's been in in a long, long time.”
De Minaur is set to enjoy great form ahead of next month's AO, having been the only Australian to record a win against Argentina in their United Cup opener.
She put in a clinical performance against Etcheverry, winning the first set in 28 minutes on her way to leveling the tie after teammate Olivia Gadecki lost 6-2 6-4 to Nadia Podoroska in the women's singles.
'I felt very satisfied with my level (of performance). Being the first game of the new season, you never know what to expect,” De Minaur said.
“Tommy is a quality opponent, a very tough opponent, so I'm happy with the way I executed today from start to finish.
“It's a very special court and one I love playing on, so I'm very happy to be able to play the match today.”
Argentina secured the 2-1 victory thanks to a great performance by Etcheverry and María Carle against Matt Ebden and Ellen Pérez, the South American couple who obtained a result of 6-2 and 6-4.
The couple took to Instagram to announce that they were engaged last Monday.
Boulter admitted she was “not excited” about hiring her new fiancé.
Australia, captained by Lleyton Hewitt, returns to the field on New Year's Day when they take on a Great Britain team that includes Billy Harris and Minaur's fiancée Katie Boulter.
De Minaur told the Daily Express that the pair were in a “difficult situation” with the upcoming tie and said he would rather play with her than against her.
Boulter was also not enthusiastic about the prospect.
“I wouldn't say I'm excited about playing against him again,” Boulter told Eurosport.
'He's a top 10 player and he knows how to play tennis, so there's a side. Then there's the personal side, which is difficult but also great to show off.
“I'm looking forward to the game, of course, and I think there will be a great atmosphere.”
'Playing against Australia will always be fun. It's another opportunity for us. “We are definitely going to be the underdogs, so let’s put pressure on them.”
It is not the first time they have been on opposite sides in the tournament, as both were present in the Great Britain and Australia teams for the 2024 version of the tournament, in which Boulter and Cameron Norrie claimed victory for Team GB.
The pair did not meet on court in last January's doubles event, with Storm Hunter and Matt Ebden beating Boulter and Neal Skupski at the RAC Arena in Perth.
De Minaur added: “It's surreal. A year has passed and here we are again, almost the same opponents.
'It's going to be interesting once again. Hopefully we can play good tennis.
“It's not my ideal, but it's a matter of luck.”