THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 1, 2025

Alex De Minaur

Press Conference

A. de MINAUR/R. Carballes Baena

6-2, 6-2, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Alex, how did that feel?

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, it felt good. It felt like a very solid match against a tough competitor, and there was a little bit of everything. There was some really good tennis. There was some tough moments, which I played through.

At the end I had to lift my level when I needed it and played some clutch tennis to finish it off. So overall, quite happy with the performance.

Q. You spoke about the recess or the refresher post-Paris, and you were pretty confident, from reading comments leading in, that you were back to your best. Did that sort of translate on the court?

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, I mean, look, whether I'm back to my best, I can only show that by playing the tennis. At least I know that I'm in a good spot to perform, right? I'm going to give myself the best chance to perform.

Today I thought there was some great tennis. I kind of just kept the same momentum I've had throughout the whole practice week, playing some really good stuff the way I want to be playing, and ultimately a really, really good, solid performance.

Q. Does it suit you to be first up in a tournament like this, first up on the day?

ALEX de MINAUR: Does it suit me? I don't know. It goes down to a bit of personal performance. The way I try to convince myself of the early start, right, is that at least, you know, we can be here looking at 2:30 p.m., and I'm done for the day. I almost get a day and a half of recovery until my next match.

That's kind of the way I convince myself about the early wake-up in the morning when I'm, like, Geez, this is not great. I would have loved a sleep-in.

Yeah, there are positives to being first on. When you are on, if you get the win, you get to enjoy the rest of the day and, yeah, switch off.

Q. It's nice to see a smile on your face after what we saw in Roland Garros. How different does the whole thing feel?

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, it felt like there was not as much pressure on myself. I just went out there, and my focus was on doing a job. I knew that going in, I was in a really good head space, and I was hitting the ball really well, so it kind of gave me a sense of calmness.

I didn't feel like I was playing with a lot of weight. So it was great, because even, you know, I said before, this match had a bit of everything. It had some really good tennis from my side in the first two sets, then he lifted the level. I was in some tough moments, which I was able to play through. Then at the end I ended up raising my level when I most needed it and played a very clutch kind of tiebreak in a positive manner, going after the ball.

Yeah, overall, I would classify that as a very good, solid performance, and I'm quite pleased with that.

Q. You've talked about the refresh coming into Wimbledon this year. How important to get that first win under your belt after the disappointment of last year, not being able to play that quarterfinal against Novak Djokovic?

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, every match is important. I mean, the way I look at draws, I look at tournaments, I look at these slams is I never get ahead of myself, right? I don't like looking at the draws, right? I look at my first-round opponent, and that's where my whole focus goes on.

I don't look at sections where I'm at here, there, who I could potentially play in the second week, this, that, the other. That for me doesn't help me. What helps me is having my full focus on the match in front of me and staying in the present.

So I got the first round done. Very happy with that. And now I can start focusing on whoever the next round is.

Q. A chance this year for some unfinished business not having that chance to play in this quarterfinal?

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, of course. The way I see it is I would love to put myself in that position again, but there's a lot of matches that need to be played, a lot of players that I need to beat, a lot of good tennis that I need to play. So I see that in the horizon.

At the moment I'm just worried about my next round match.

Q. Your mum was sitting in front of me. Was that some of your siblings there as well? How much do they get to watch you play live? What does it mean for you if that's the case?

ALEX de MINAUR: My mum has definitely started traveling a little bit more frequently, and she tries to make most of the slams.

My siblings, it's a little bit more of a rarer occasion that they come out. Obviously this is probably the first time this year that they're all together, right? So the whole family is out here, which is pretty cool and pretty special.

Yeah, it's just around the corner from Spain, so it works out just fine.

Q. Which family members?

ALEX de MINAUR: My siblings... So my mum and my siblings. I've got my brother and my two sisters.

Q. I was going to ask you about that similar question. It looks like you've got a bigger team here than you do at the Australian Open. Does it feel like it's your second Grand Slam in some ways?

ALEX de MINAUR: It definitely feels like a second home slam for me, not only because I feel very comfortable here, I spent a fair bit of time here. I've been at this venue when the tournament is not on, right? I've trained a lot here. It just feels quite natural.

As far as the team, whenever it's kind of Europe, it's a lot of easier for friends, family to kind of visit and come watch. Yeah, it's a great feeling to have.

Even today playing on Court 18, which is a great court, and having an amazing support almost like if I'm playing in Australia. So love to feel that.

Q. I think it's deep in the fourth, but I think it's Adam or Cazaux who you play next. What do you know about the two?

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, I've hit with Adam a bit. We went on junior tours together, so I've known Adam for a very long time.

Arthur I know less. He's obviously very talented. He's had some big scalps before. He's coming through quallies and playing with a lot of confidence.

I think, again, it's going to be another battle, and for me if I can come out and bring the level that I know I can bring, then I'm giving myself a good shot. That's the only thing I'm kind of worried about.