AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 23, 2026

Alex De Minaur

Press Conference

A. de MINAUR/F. Tiafoe

6-3, 6-4, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Alex, congrats. Frances really fought hard on court, especially in the third set. How did you manage to stay calm and get through?

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, I mean, it was tough to get over the line today, but overall, I was very pleased with my level.

I thought Frances did incredibly well to fight back at the end and started playing some really, really good tennis and ended up being a little bit scrappy, but, hey, I'm very relieved to have gotten over the line in three sets.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. I went through and looked through all your results at the Oz Open over the years to see if I was getting it right myself. I felt that was your strongest match you played at the Australian Open. What's your opinion on that? Talk about that and where your level is at at the moment.

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, I thought that was a great match. For two-and-a-half sets, that was very high-level, and I fought off some tough moments early in the match, and in night, heavy conditions, I was hitting through him and showing that I've got a little bit of power myself.

It was, yeah, a very, very solid performance. I was very pleased with that, and I knew it was going to take something like that to beat Frances, because he has been playing really good. He's been locked in, solid, and doing all the right things.

So I was ready for a battle today, and I'm extremely happy that it was done in three sets.

Q. Solid, to describe yourself?

ALEX de MINAUR: No, that was a very good performance. I was very pleased with the way I was hitting the ball ultimately, just to, again, heavy conditions against an opponent that's quite strong and maneuvers the ball around very well and can easily overpower me, and that wasn't the case today.

I did the right things. I had the right level of, you know, composure, being solid at times, and also being aggressive.

Q. Preparing for the match, was there a part of his game that concerned you more than others?

ALEX de MINAUR: I have grown up with Frances. I think we both know each other quite well. We know each other's games quite well.

We've played a lot of battles. In a way, we have, I would say, similar game styles. We're both not afraid to come to the net. We both move really well. Got quite flat backhands. We like to lean on it.

It was, yeah, about trying to find the patterns that worked for me. I know kind of the patterns he wants to get into and that work for him more often. So it was about knowing what I wanted to do and stay clear to that, and even in the tough moments, kind of back myself.

Yeah, I had to execute, and that's what I did today.

Q. This is actually your second seeded win at the AO, and Tiafoe was the highest that you have beaten. How much confidence does that give you going into the second week where you will be playing against opponents, say, Bublik or Alcaraz, which will be another big seeding going into that?

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, I'm glad with where my level is at. Ultimately, I knew going in if I was going to go deep, that I was going to have to play great tennis, right?

I had some very tough opponents in front of me, and as I said, I'm up for the challenge, and I'm excited for it. You know, whoever is next, I'm sure it's going to be even tougher, and I'm excited for, yet again, another battle, and hopefully I can step up to the occasion.

Q. It was in the mid-20s today, and yet, you and Frances both looked like you were working up quite a sweat. I bet you're glad you're not playing tomorrow. What's your advice as an Aussie who understands the summer heat for those who do have to play tomorrow, because it is going to be a lot?

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, it is going to be a lot. Obviously growing up here, I wouldn't have -- well, let me rephrase that. I think I would handle it better than a lot of other opponents. I wouldn't say I would have enjoyed it out there, because I'm sure no one would enjoy it when it's so hot.

Yeah, it all comes down to the prep, right? You've got to make sure that you hydrate, you eat well, you recover well, make sure everything prior to the match, and as the match is going on, ice towels from the very first game. Make sure you stay in the shade as much as you can, and, yeah, get ready for feeling uncomfortable.

But sometimes that's part of tennis and is one of the factors that play into this beautiful game that we have. We will see tomorrow who handles it better.

Q. Through to the fourth round for the fourth consecutive year. How are you feeling mentally compared to the last three years? How are you staying cool tomorrow?

ALEX de MINAUR: I feel good. I mean, I feel in a different space as the years have gone on. I think I'm in a different position, right? In terms of the first year around, obviously I'm excited because it's a new breakthrough moment, and kind of I feel not satisfied, but I feel like I've achieved, I've had a great accomplishment.

As the years have gone by, of course, I'm looking for more, right, and I'm kind of in a position where I want more, and I'm going to be pushing for that.

I know it's by no means going to be easy, but I'm rising to the occasion so far, and hopefully I get better and better as the tournament goes on, and I can give myself the opportunity to play the matches that I want to be playing here at the Australian Open.

Tomorrow I'll probably hit indoors and, yeah, have a nice chill day.

THE MODERATOR: Just to clarify, it's his fifth consecutive time in the round of 16.

Q. Talking about the evolution of your confidence when you're playing the best players, even the way you talk, how you look out there, how has that evolved over the years? How have you got to this point? Does it come from talking to people, from results? How did you get to this spot?

ALEX de MINAUR: I have been always one to let my tennis do the talking, and I have always found it quite tough to have that confidence if the results aren't there.

I know some players have the ability to not be affected by results, but for me, in terms of confidence, it was quite hard for me to really believe in myself unless I got those results.

As the years have gone on, I have had those results. I mean, last year I had, I don't know the exact stat, but I had a lot of wins on hard court, and I was kind of a force to be reckoned with throughout the year. Obviously if I want to take the next step, I've got to believe that I can do it, right?

I'm now at a position where I know my game, I know what I want, I know that I don't want to be one of another number in the draw. And I know that there is a lot of people that don't think I can do it. That's completely fine, but I'm going to keep on pushing myself with my team and trying to prove those people wrong.

That's just going to add some more fire to the belly, and I have not yet achieved what I want to achieve in this sport. So there is still plenty more career to get there.

Q. You dedicated your win to Katie. How much does looking at her through the tough points in the match motivate you?

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, more than anything I'm probably thinking how much she must be hating me as she's watching the match and going through all those tough moments.

I would say that the vast majority of my matches aren't simple. There's always twists and turns and nervy moments, so I'm sure she's not enjoying every second of it, as she's probably quite stressed out. But, of course, it's incredible to have her in the stands supporting me.

It does mean a lot and helps me out a lot, as well.