'Have the memory of a goldfish': Alex De Minaur resets for Davis Cup after US Open setback

Alex de Minaur arrives in Sydney with a mixture of relief and excitement. After a demanding fortnight at the US Open, where he reached the quarterfinals before bowing out to Félix Auger-Aliassime, the Australian No. 1 wasted little time in turning his attention to the Davis Cup. For him, the key is to switch quickly from one challenge to the next. “Have the memory of a goldfish and move on quickly,” he said in an interview with Beln Sports. “That’s ultimately the game plan, and now the priority is here.”

De Minaur isn’t making the journey alone. Several of his compatriots, including Jordan Thompson and Alexei Popyrin, also enjoyed strong runs in New York. Their collective momentum has created a buzz around the Australian team heading into this week’s tie against Belgium. “As a team, as a nation, over the last couple of years we’ve shown that we’re a force to be reckoned with,” De Minaur noted. “I think we gel really well together, so we’re going to play with a lot of pride and a lot of passion. It’s great to be playing at home, so we’ll have that home crowd support, and I’m very excited to be back in Sydney again.”

The 26-year-old has become the undisputed leader of the Australian Davis Cup squad, but he doesn’t see the role as a burden. Instead, he embraces the responsibility. “We love playing for our country. We understand the responsibility of putting on the green and gold,” he explained. “Once we step out there, we know we’re going to fight from the very first point to the last. We’ve built such great chemistry over the last five or six years. The team camaraderie has been amazing. For me, these weeks are the most fun on my schedule, that’s for sure.”

Those words also reflect what makes the Davis Cup so different from the regular tour. Tennis is usually an individual pursuit, often a lonely one, but in Sydney De Minaur is relishing the team spirit. “Throughout the year, you’re there by yourself. These weeks, you get to come together as a team and it’s definitely a different dynamic, which I think we all enjoy a lot,” he said. The dinners, the banter, and the sense of shared purpose all contribute to an atmosphere where, as he puts it, “we all want to win, not just for ourselves, but for the person next to us.”

"My ultimate goal is to lift the Davis Cup title"

For De Minaur, the Davis Cup is not just another stop on the calendar—it is the pinnacle. “For me, the ultimate goal is to lift the Davis Cup title. That’s been a priority of mine for my whole career,” he admitted. Australia has come close in recent years, losing two finals and reaching a semifinal. “We’ve gotten awfully close. It’s been the priority and the ultimate goal. I’m going to do my best to keep on improving and get to the stage where I can give my team, my country, those important points. Hopefully, we can gel together and lift this thing.”

That ambition is sharpened by the current state of men’s tennis, dominated by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. De Minaur sees them as the benchmark. “These two have been at the top of our sport for a couple of years now. They’re playing for the biggest titles. They’re the ultimate competition. For the rest of us, it’s our job to find ways to bridge the gap and keep on improving. There’s no other way than to chase those guys at the moment, because they’re setting the standard.”

Still, he doesn’t appear discouraged by the challenge. On the contrary, De Minaur insists he’s in one of the best phases of his career. “A couple of months ago, I said I felt like I was getting towards the peak of my career,” he recalled. “It’s about doing my best to improve—that’s all I can do.”

"It’s super special to play in Sydney"

The setting for this week’s tie only adds to De Minaur’s enthusiasm. “It’s super special. I’ve said it before—it’s my favourite court to play on. It’s treated me really well over the years. It’s just a special type of energy. I’m very excited to come out on match day, hopefully with a full crowd, and hear the energy pumping around here.”

Off court, he plans to enjoy the rare chance to reconnect with family and soak in Sydney. “I’d love to go and see my family—I’ve got some here. I’ll make some time to see them. I don’t get the chance to be here nearly as much as I’d like to, so I’ll enjoy this beautiful city.”