De Minaur set for second crack at Spanish great

Alex de Minaur fires a forehand at Melbourne Park.Credit:AAP

It’s the mouth-watering match-up between a might-have-been-a-Spaniard versus that’s country’s greatest player of all time, 17-time major winner and claycourt legend Rafael Nadal.

For bright young prospect Alex de Minaur, his extensive time spent living in Spain during his childhood is part of his story but, make no mistake, the 19-year-old has firmly pledged his allegiance to Australia and Australian tennis.

The son of a Uruguayan father and Spanish mother, de Minaur spent his first five years in Sydney before the family moved to Alicante in Spain's south-east. De Minaur has since spent time in both countries and for a tenacious player with constant comparisons to Lleyton Hewitt, there are inevitable questions about how, if things had been different, de Minaur might have been seen as the heir apparent to Spanish master Nadal.

De Minaur – who turns 20 next month and last week won his first title last in Sydney – was asked a fresh question about his Spanish connections.

“Well, obviously my mum is Spanish. I spent a lot of time in Spain. I was born in Australia. I've really always felt Australian,” he said earlier this week.

Close bond: Davis Cup coach Lleyton Hewitt (left) and Alex de Minaur.Credit:AAP

Such is his love all things Australia and closeness to Australia’s Davis Cup captain Hewitt, de Minaur was thrown orange boy duties as a tender age. He came to Melbourne Park this year as Australia’s top-ranked male and only seeded man with both Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic further down the rankings.

“Growing up and watching the Australians play, especially in Davis Cup, I just remember always wanting to be a part of that.

“Australia has such a rich history in tennis. I felt like I just wanted to be a part of it. So I've always felt Australian. I think there's nothing better than representing the green and gold.”

There you go. Remove any doubt that if things go as expected for the world No. 29 in the next few years, he’ll find himself in the world’s top five and be in the mix to be Australia’s first major champion since Hewitt himself ruled supreme at Wimbledon in 2002.

Most immediately, however, is a daunting third-round assignment against a seemingly injury-free Nadal, the world No. 2 who walloped him in straight sets 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 on the All England grass just six months ago. It was their only meeting and, despite a 13-year age gap, probably won’t be their last.

De Minaur knows that the Nadal challenge will be “something special” but he’ll relish the opportunity against the 2009 Australian Open champion and “take it to him”.

“I'm obviously playing some great tennis. To be able to get all these wins under my belt definitely helps a lot, to build just that momentum and keep playing some good tennis day in, day out,” de Minaur said after his fighting five-set victory over Swiss qualifier Henri Laaksonen on Wednesday night.

“Obviously against Rafa that's going to be something special. I got the chance to play him in Wimbledon on centre court.

Education: Rafael Nadal was too strong for Alex de Minaur at Wimbledon.Credit:Yomiuri Shimbun

“I feel like I learnt a lot from that experience. I'm really looking forward to just having fun, going out there and just competing.

As for what exactly de Minaur learnt from his Nadal belting – the first time he had reached that stage of a major – he said he would be “a bit more relaxed” this time around.

“I think a lot of these things is just about experience. I've already stepped out on court and played him, so that whole experience of playing Rafa, that's not new to me any more.

“So hopefully this time around I can go a bit more relaxed, just focus on myself, try to play some good tennis.”

As for Nadal, he’s fast filling the role of “Aussie Killer” after straight-sets victories over James Duckworth and Matthew Ebden to start his Open campaign but, more importantly, the 32-year-old is looking untroubled by the thigh complaint that forced his late withdrawal from the Brisbane International.

Nadal, don’t forget, retired hurt from two majors last year – his US Open semi-final against Juan Martin del Potro and during the fifth set of his Australian Open quarter-final against Marin Cilic.

So far there are no signs that a physical ailment will play any role in stopping Nadal from adding a second Australian Open title to the one he claimed a decade ago.

Commentator John McEnroe, for one, couldn’t help but remark on Nadal’s physical presence after he belted Ebden off the court. The Spaniard was all smiles but now, well into his early 30s, he knows the rising youngsters will arrive at some point and de Minaur could be a big part of that.

“I just get happy that the new generation is coming. It’s important for tennis,” Nadal said. On his appointment with de Minaur, Nadal described him as an “amazing talent” who’ll have an “amazing career”.

Nadal hopes de Minaur has a great future, just not a good Friday. “I wish all the best for the rest.”

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