July 26, 2025
Washington D.C.
Press Conference
A. de MINAUR/C. Moutet
6-4, 6-3
THE MODERATOR: Alex, well done. Simply, how did you get through today?
ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, it was never going to be a straightforward match. It was always going to be difficult and tricky. That's just what you get against Moutet.
I'm happy to be in another final. Yeah, one more to go.
THE MODERATOR: Questions.
Q. You mentioned how tricky Moutet can be. Today you went 17 for 21 at the net. Was that a game plan coming in, trying to go forward as much as you can and finishing points at net?
ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, that's something I have been doing all week long. I have been backing myself in these quick courts to be aggressive and get to the net.
Today against Moutet was another part of my game plan. I mean, he's got amazing wheels. He can extend rallies forever and ever. But I do feel that at times you can kind of sneak in on his backhand side and kind of make him pass off the slice. And if he does, too good. But yet again, you know, he managed to play some good points when I came in at the very end, throwing in some deep lobs and hitting some pretty amazing passing shots.
Ultimately that was the game plan, and I was going to back that until the very last point.
Q. You have made some really, really successful runs here in Washington, the last one to the final in 2018. I know a lot of time has passed since then and now, but could you walk me through how you would describe how you're different as a competitor out there, or are there things in your game that you feel like have really, really improved? And what are they?
ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, I think realistically it's night and day. 2018 to the version of me now, back then that was my first final of a big event.
I was 19. I was thin as a stick (smiling). Didn't have much on me. And I feel like now I'm a more experienced, more established player.
Yeah, I'm excited to be back in another final. It's taken me a while. It hasn't really come for a while, but I've just felt in a great head space from the get-go here. I think the courts have suited my game style.
Yeah, I have played some good matches, some difficult matches. I have given myself a chance at the title. So looking forward to that.
Q. Your record against players outside 30, I think it's now 27 and 2 this year. The two losses have gone to Bublik, who's taken his place back inside 30, and Cilic, who is a former Grand Slam champion. Why do you think you have been able to build such an impressive record against those sort of players? You respect every player, but is there a quiet air of confidence though when you go out against these players?
ALEX de MINAUR: No, I think I give the respect they're due, but, you know, I don't take anyone lightly. When I step out on court, I want to win. Whether it's practice, whether it's a match, doesn't matter who I'm playing against. I'm competing from the very first point to the last. That, for me, is key, having that focus and that intensity, because ultimately, I mean, everyone is so good, right? You give themself a little bit of a sniff, a chance, they grow in confidence, and then you're in a battle.
So everyone can play out there on the court, so for me, it's all about just showing up every single day and letting them know that, you know, if they want to beat me, they've got to be ready for a very tough match.
Q. You haven't played Ben Shelton on tour. Have you ever practiced with him? If you haven't faced him in any way, how do you prepare for somebody, lefty, with the serve that he has?
ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, I have practiced with him. I haven't played him on tour. It's going to be interesting, because I think he's struggling at the moment. I think Davidovich is on top. But, I mean, how do you prepare against Ben? I mean, it's pretty tough.
There's not really a comparison on tour. He's obviously got an absolute cannon, some incredible weapons, but he's playing a very tough opponent in Davidovich. I think it's going to be a battle. Yeah, we're going to have to wait and see who ends up getting on top on that one.
Q. Davidovich, he was out playing against Fritz until 2:00 a.m. last night. Just from experience, what does it take to be out that late playing for three hours in a war like that then be out again tonight and playing as well as he is right now?
ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah. Look, I think we tennis players are one of the better athletes in sport just because we back up, right? So for Davidovich to come out today and back up, it doesn't surprise me, right? Because we train for this. We train to play five-hour matches, and we back it up, not the next day but a day later in Grand Slams.
So three-set matches. We should, you know, be ready to do this every single day, right?
I think you see that with, you know, the people that work hard. They're going to be ready for a battle. There is a little element of fatigue from playing long matches, but I think everyone in the draw is good enough to back up after a tough match.
Q. I think I have noticed the change in your racquet, at least the coloring and things like that. With everything being so tight and everybody being able to play as well as they do on the ATP Tour, can you tell me a little bit of the thought process that made you want to experience or look into getting a new racquet? So far, what has been the benefit that you have noticed in your game?
ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, what I'm supposed to say is my racquet is more powerful and it's given me the edge, right (smiling)?
But look, I have actually always enjoyed a little bit of a change, even if it's a different paint job. I have changed now from the Blade to the Ultra paint job, and it's exciting. It's something different.
So far it's working pretty well, right? So I'm going to get the results this week and say thank you to Wilson for that one.
But as for me, I don't like changing much when it comes to racquets. The thought process I have is the racquet that I have has helped me so much in my career and has taken me to a certain point in my career. It would be almost pretty stupid for me to change that, right, and to look for something more.
But even though saying that, three or four years ago, I decided to add an extra string in my string pattern, and I changed to half gut, right? And that was a big change for me in my career.
It took a little bit of adjusting to, but I do think it was a key improvement that helped me, you know, break into the top 10 and take the next step.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports


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