Alex de Minaur possibly takes a dig at Nick Kyrgios after reaching 2023 Australian Open R4
Alex de Minaur might have targeted compatriot Nick Kyrgios in saying that he does not want to reach a Grand Slam final by receiving a walkover.
De Minaur defeated Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-1 in two hours and eight minutes in the third round of the 2023 Australian Open on Saturday (January 21). He has reached the last 16 in Melbourne for the second time in his career, having lost to Jannik Sinner in the fourth round in 2022. The Aussie also extended his head-to-head lead against Bonzi to 3-0.
De Minaur had registered his first win of the 2023 season by beating Rafael Nadal in the United Cup. He is now set to face nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the fourth round on Monday.
In a press conference after Saturday's match, the World No. 24 appeared to take a sly dig at Kyrgios. Possibly making a reference to last year's Wimbledon, where an injured Nadal withdrew before the semifinals to allow Kyrgios safe passage to the finals, De Minaur stressed that he wanted to play the 'best in the world'.
"These are the matches you want to be playing. You don't want a walkover into the final of a Grand Slam," De Minaur said. "You want to be playing the best in the world. That's what I've got. I'm going to probably have the best in the world in front of me, and I'm ready for the battle. I want to take it to them and show them what I'm made of, you know, in the biggest of stages and just test myself out there and really take it to them."
Alex de Minaur hopes to make things as difficult as possible for Novak Djokovic in 2023 Australian Open R4
Alex de Minaur also acknowledged the challenge that awaits him in the fourth round of the 2023 Australian Open; he will face Novak Djokovic for a spot in the quarterfinals.
In his press conference, the 22nd seed stated that he would be fired up against "one of the best players in the world" on Monday.
"I'm not going to read into too much of that injury. Ultimately, he's one of the best players in the world, and I'm just going to have to take it to him and not shy away from the occasion," Alex de Minaur said. "I'm going to make sure to make it as tough as I can and just bring the recent experience I've had on court and how I've been feeling."
"Just ultimately, it's not shying away from the opportunity and the occasion. I mean, these are the matches I want. It's going to be exciting. I will get fired up, get the crowd behind me, and I'll definitely have a good time," he added.
Djokovic beat Grigor Dimitrov 7-6(7), 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday in the third round.