UNITED CUP

December 29, 2023

Alex De Minaur

Australia

Press Conference

C. NORRIE/A. de Minaur

6-4, 2-6, 7-6

Team Great Britain - 1

Team Australia - 0

THE MODERATOR: Just give us your thoughts on the match and the atmosphere here.

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, look, it's a tough opening match. It was a tough battle out there. Probably felt like I had a lot of chances, especially in that third set. But, hey, it's one of those matches that it didn't go my way. I think Cameron played better than I did in the important moments, and, you know, he snagged the win today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. On that match point, was it a matter of pressure just got to you with the double fault?

ALEX de MINAUR: I have played a lot of matches in my career, and yeah, I think I've played a lot of matches when I've been down and with a lot more pressure than that one.

I don't think it was the reason why I double-faulted.

Q. (Question off microphone.)

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, I think it's no secret I had a horrible first game and it ended up costing me in the set. Yeah, I didn't feel my best out there, comfortable. Again, it's the first match of a new season. It's been a quick turnaround, and I wasn't as sharp as I could have been.

But I'm happy I was able to turn that around, play some good stuff throughout that match. Yeah, it didn't go my way, but it happens.

Q. (Question off microphone.)

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, of course. I mean, if I'm trying to be positive and looking at a positive mindset, then last year I was in the same situation and I lost in two sets and I ended up having a pretty good year.

This year I lost to Cam again, but 7-6 in the third. So hopefully that means I'm going to have an even better year this year.

Q. (Question off microphone.)

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, look, I think it's the start of the year. You don't want to base your whole year on one match. You can start well. You can start all right. Sometimes it's a little bit of rust. The last couple of years I probably haven't started my best, and ultimately my focus is the Australian Open.

Obviously I want to perform here and play well for my country, and I'll do my best to bounce back and be ready for the next one.

Q. (Question off microphone.)

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, I felt fine. I felt good. I don't think it was a matter of physicality today. I think it was more about the ball on my racquet, how I felt, how I played in certain moments.

You know, a couple of unlucky things that kind of didn't go my way, and then maybe some tactical decisions that I could have done a little bit better.

Q. On that point, and I understand it was the first match of the season, et cetera, but if there was one part of that match or a specific point you'd like to take back, was there one? Would you say there's one?

ALEX de MINAUR: Well, look, obviously I think the start wasn't ideal that first game. But it is what it is.

I still had chances in the third set. Felt like I was the better player out there, had the chances on his serve. Maybe play a tad more aggressive and just go after in those big points, and kind of take a little bit more of a chance. I felt like I maybe let him have it on his racquet, and, you know, he performed under pressure.

Q. What was Lleyton saying during the match?

ALEX de MINAUR: Just to keep trusting myself, keep staying positive. You know, I think he knew I wasn't bringing my best level, and it was just about fighting and staying positive and telling myself that I was going to find it at some stage or the other.

Yeah, I managed to do that, and I managed to turn it around and give myself a lot of chances to win that match.

Q. (Question off microphone.)

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, look, now it's about bouncing back. Kind of water off a duck's back. Move on. Yeah, I've got that match to look forward to, and, you know, hopefully I can come out and bring a high level and perform for my country in front of this crowd in Perth.