Alex De Minaur explains what he often does with the Wimbledon crowd which he knows will ‘fire them up’

He’s hard to dislike, and has a play style that’s impossible to downplay given just how hard he works.

It is for this reason that he is expected to push Novak Djokovic hard in their upcoming clash, and the Wimbledon crowd is sure to play a big role in that.

Alex De Minaur on his relationship with the Wimbledon crowd

Speaking at his post-match press conference, after setting up a fourth-round clash with none other than Novak Djokovic, De Minaur was keen to reaffirm his relationship with the Wimbledon crowd.

After all, much has been said about this given his fiancée, Boulter, was until recently the top-ranked female British player.

He has branded this as his second home crowd at times, and would expand upon that by noting: ‘I really do like to engage with the crowd, and I like to single out certain people in the crowd that’s giving me support and, you know, they’re out there sitting through a long five set match giving me support. So I feel like it’s my duty to give them back the energy they’re giving me, right? 

‘So they fire me up, I fire them up, it creates a good atmosphere and, yeah, I definitely use it when I’m on the court.

‘I really like to lock in with a lot of different people in the crowd. I’ve got, obviously my team, but then I’ll lock in with strangers who I don’t know, but they’re here supporting me, so I’ll give them a couple “come ons” here and there.’

What Novak Djokovic said about his Wimbledon match vs Alex De Minaur

As someone who too has shared a strong relationship with the Wimbledon crowd, given he is a seven-time winner at this event, Djokovic will be hoping to wrestle back support from the Australian when they face on Monday.

However, he is well aware of how difficult that will be, against a relentless opponent who promises a stern test.

Asked about De Minaur in his press conference last night, the Serbian admitted: ‘Yeah, I mean, Alex has also improved his game tremendously, I think, the last couple of years. He’s playing the tennis of his life.

‘He’s definitely knocking on the door of the finals, final stages of Grand Slams. He’s gotten to the quarters several times and yeah, last year he had to pull out, unfortunately, because of his injury, but this year, again, he’s there, he hasn’t dropped a set. He’s playing well.

‘You know, you’re not super excited to play Alex De Minaur on grass, that’s for sure, because he’s so quick and he’s a complete player all round, and he has gained a pace and his serve as well. He hits his spots very well, so just a tough, very tough challenge, expecting me, so I’m looking forward to it, you know.

‘I think it’s going to be a great test to see where my game is at against a top player like Alex.’

Alex De Minaur’s last five Grand Slam results

De Minaur gave his verdict on facing Djokovic too, in response.

Given the 26-year-old got injured around this time last year, and was thus robbed of the chance to face Djokovic at Wimbledon in the peak of his powers, it feels poetic that the two should meet now.