Alex de Minaur‘s mentor and ATP legend Lleyton Hewitt almost flouted the rules at the 2024 Australian Open during de Minaur’s match against Andrey Rublev on Sunday. As the Australian was trailing against Rublev, Hewitt seemed to gesture something. While the on-court coaching rule allows coaches to pass suggestions, there is a condition that Hewitt seemed to forget.
The rules state that coaches can only pass suggestions when they are on the same side of the court as the player. In Hewitt’s case, he was sitting on the opposite side. But with de Minaur struggling big time against Rublev and the Russian also struggling physically, Hewitt wanted de Minaur to take advantage and hence he gestured.
After the third set, de Minaur was leading Rublev 2-1. However, Rublev came all guns blazing in the fourth set and raced to a 4-0 lead. However, the intensity of the match took a toll on the Russian ace as Rublev seemingly had issues with his calf. This seemed like an opportunity to Hewitt who wanted de Minaur to capitalize on it.
Hewitt started gesturing animatedly but bounded by the rules, he could not talk to de Minaur. Meanwhile, the cameras quickly panned to the Aussie who was caught gesturing something. Todd Woodbridge also talked about the incident on Channel 9.
The rules have changed. You are allowed to coach but you can't do it from the other end. You can only do it at the same end. You can't go across the court. Todd Woodbridge pointed out.
Alex de Minaur loses a golden chance to make it to another Grand Slam quarters
With a 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 0-6 defeat against Andrey Rublev, World No.10 Alex de Minaur yet again missed out on a chance to make it to his second Grand Slam quarterfinal. The Australian will have to go back home with another fourth-round exit against his name.
Quite obviously, de Minaur was gutted. The scenes were not too good for the Aussie fans as de Minaur was seen crying in the gym. He had to be consoled by his girlfriend and English WTA star Katie Boulter.
Meanwhile, Andrey Rublev was all pumped up after registering one of the finest wins of his career. The Russian revealed what was going through his head during the match.
I started to say to myself ‘No, you’re gonna die today but you will do everything’. Somehow I started to play better and better and I found more energy and I was able to win. Andrey Rublev said. (H/T: Australian Open)
Notably, the head-to-head record between the two players stands level at 3-3 after Rublev’s win at the Australian Open.
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