Alex de Minaur: A new documentary follows the Aussie star’s summer ATP Tour | ATP Tour

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De Minaur Down Under: A new documentary follows the Aussie star’s summer ATP Tour

The film includes exclusive interviews with De Minaur’s team and his fiancee Katie Boulter

January 22, 2026

“For him, coming back to Australia is very exciting.

Coach Matt Reid, like the rest of Alex de Minaur’s squad, knows all too well what any trip Down Under means to No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Playing at home, especially under the spotlight of a Grand Slam event like the Australian Open, can affect different players in different ways. Some struggle to cope with the high expectations and attention, while others thrive on the enhanced support and atmosphere that comes with being a local favorite.

De Minaur is in no doubt what works for him.

“They annoy me and I love it,” the 26-year-old said of the Australian crowds in a new ATP behind-the-scenes documentary, The Demon Down Under. “You’ll never see me express as much emotion as I do in Australia. It’s loud and I love it.

“The Australian Open is my home Slam. It’s the most important tournament on my calendar, where I really want to do well. It’s my home Slam, full of energy, full of crowd support and the best venues ever.”

That doesn’t mean Aussie swing is all smooth sailing for De Minaur, who carries the weight of a nation waiting for its first Australian Open men’s singles champion since Mark Edmondson in 1976. The spotlight is on in the week leading up to the hard court major in Melbourne, where De Minaur must balance being an ambassador and preparing for his home tournament Slamculous.

“Everyone wants their piece,” said De Minaur’s team manager Kathryn Oyeniyi. “He’s being pushed to write it in advance with media commitments and sponsor appearances. There’s no time to rest.”

De Minaur adds: “It’s crazy. It’s really crazy. Some people think that the week before a Grand Slam, you can say everything in your schedule and focus on yourself. But that’s not true. There are a million commitments… Just making sure I come to compete at the Australian Open in the right place, because that’s the main goal.”

De Minaur strives to surround herself with the right people to help her cope with everything that comes with being a top athlete. Along with Reid and Oyeniyi, he has longtime trainer Adolfo Gutierrez and strength and conditioning coach Francisco Hijano Calderon within his inner circle, while his fiancee, WTA star Katie Boulter, is also a constant source of support.

“In the end, I trust my team, actually, with my life,” said 10-time ATP Tour champion De Minaur. “They tend to know me better than I do, and they can always give me great feedback. [Like when] I need tough love… They know the place and the time and everything, that’s why I can go out and sing.”

De Minaur is well aware of the tennis legacy he adds to as Australia’s No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings. Although he is set on his quest to raise the bar and challenge for Grand Slam titles, he recognizes the impact he can have in shaping the future of tennis in his country.

“From Rod Laver to Ken Rosewall, to Rochey (Tony Roche), to Lleyton [Hewitt]Pat Rafter, [John] Newcombe… Once you start entering the list, it will probably never end,” said De Minaur.” “One thing I will always say is that if I could be mentioned in the same conversation as any of those artists, I would have had an amazing career.

“I would like my legacy to be remembered that I am not only a decent tennis player, but also doing my best to inspire the next generation.”

So could De Minaur’s biggest breakthrough come on home soil at the 2026 Australian Open? By reaching the last eight in Melbourne last year, the Sydney native completed a complete set of quarter-final appearances at all four Grand Slam events. Aiming to go deeper and even challenge the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for major tennis titles is now high on the agenda.

“We’ve been working on trying to take more risks under pressure, because you don’t get many chances when you’re playing against better players like Sinner and Alcaraz,” said Reid. “Just commit to it and live and die on your terms.”

Regardless of what happens this year at Melbourne Park, De Minaur will not be deterred in his quest for more success. Any outside noise – be it the cheers of the adoring home crowd or doubts about his ability to take on the world’s best – only inspires him.

“I know I have a lot of hunger and drive inside of me, and I’m always down to prove people wrong.”