- Nick Kyrgios is a fan of Alex de Minaur's tenacity
- An Australian confident he can win a Grand Slam
- Australian Open 2025 starts on January 12
Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has declared that Alex de Minaur is more than capable of winning a Grand Slam throughout his career.
It comes as Kyrgios, 29, recalled the moment he knew the current world number eight had the game to succeed on the cutthroat ATP circuit.
“I remember he was our orange boy in the Davis Cup, we had won the tie and he needed to practice a little more, so I thought… I'll go out and teach this kid a lesson,” Kyrgios. he told reporters after confirming that his abdominal strain was only minor and that he would be fine to play in this year's Australian Open.
“I remember bringing a beer and thinking, 'This guy can't be that good.'”
“But it was a very close set. I was in my prime and he was only 17 and I thought, 'This guy is going to be really solid.'
The polarizing star added that he has been impressed with how De Minaur has worked tirelessly on his game in recent years, as well as being a “ridiculously good role model”.
Nick Kyrgios has declared that Alex de Minaur is capable of winning a Grand Slam throughout his career (pictured, playing together in the ATP Cup)
It comes as Kyrgios, 29, recalled the moment he knew the current world number eight had the game to succeed on the ATP circuit.
Kyrgios is delighted to see Alexei Popyrin (25) and Jordan Thompson (27) both seeded at Melbourne Park as he predicted a golden era for Australian tennis (Kyrgios is pictured, with girlfriend Costeen Hatzi).
Kyrgios has been impressed with Alex de Minaur's maturity as Australia's number one star (pictured, with girlfriend Katie Boulter)
Kyrgios, who plays British star Jacob Fearnley in the first round on Monday, was not done dishing out praise.
He is delighted to see Alexei Popyrin (25) and Jordan Thompson (27), both seeded at Melbourne Park, as Kyrgios predicted a golden era for Australian tennis.
'I mean, men's tennis in Australia right now is ridiculously strong. We have many players, it is very deep,' he stated.
'Obviously Pop (Popyrin) is dangerous as long as he feels good with that serve and winning the Masters (Canadian Open) event.
'I'm really happy for these guys because they did all the hard work.
I've known Thommo since he was basically in diapers. Just to see how well he's transitioning and finally getting to that ranking at a Grand Slam where it can really open up for him… he's more than capable of doing some damage as well.
'All these Australian lads are really good. We also have a good generation of young people, so it's a good time to be an Australian tennis fan.”
In terms of managing his own expectations, Kyrgios stated that “it's good to be back” as, in his opinion, “sport was becoming a bit mundane.”
Meanwhile, de Minaur will launch his Open campaign against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.
If he can overcome van de Zandschulp, the local hope will face a qualifier or Argentine Federico Coria in the second round.
Popyrin has faced Frenchman Corentin Moutet and could face compatriot Rinky Hijikata in the second round, while Thompson opens against a qualifier.
The Australian Open starts on January 12.