De Minaur’s addition offers Australia a mighty Davis Cup enhance | 21 November, 2024 | All Information | Information and Options | Information and Occasions

Ironman Alex de Minaur is a stunning late addition in a mighty enhance to Australia’s Davis Cup quarterfinal hopes in opposition to the USA in Malaga.

De Minaur was not listed in Australia’s preliminary crew to face the USA on Thursday evening earlier than the world No.9 declared his availability after a “particular” follow session with retiring legend Rafael Nadal.

After a gruelling however triumphant season dogged by a hip damage, it had been anticipated that De Minaur would sit out the Davis Cup Finals after shedding all three of his matches finally week’s ATP Finals in Turin.

“Look, I’m very completely happy to be again right here. Clearly, it’s been a tricky 12 months with accidents, however I’m feeling lots higher and I’m feeling fairly match and able to compete,” he stated.

“So clearly if my physique was holding up, I used to be at all times going to place my hand up and be prepared to come back right here and play for Australia.”

De Minaur is certain to be additional impressed when he hits the court docket on Thursday.

After changing into the primary Australian since Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt in 2005 to succeed in three consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinals, the 25-year-old had the honour of hitting with Nadal forward of the previous world No.1’s remaining match this week.

“It was a particular second for certain,” De Minaur stated. “I’ve been lucky sufficient to share the court docket with Rafa a pair occasions, and I’ve hit with him a pair occasions, but it surely’s at all times additional particular, this doubtlessly being the final dance.

“So it was good to get one final hit with him.”
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Staff USA boasts a formidable line-up led by 2024 US Open runner-up and world No.5 Taylor Fritz and fellow top-20 stars Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton.

However De Minaur and world No.24 Alexei Popyrin, nonetheless using excessive after successful the Montreal Masters 1000 crown earlier than toppling Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadows, hope to have the followers’ backing on the Malaga indoor area.

The Sydney-born pair grew up collectively in Alacante after their mother and father felt Spain was the most effective nation to advance their tennis careers.

“It’s at all times nice to come back again right here to Malaga. Now we have had a reasonably good reference to the gang all through the years,” De Minaur stated.

“It’s after all an away tie for us, however we’re going to do our greatest to get the Spanish crowd to help us, as a result of we’ve bought some Spanish roots. So hopefully we are able to pull on that.”