“Today was my day”: Lights out Alex de Minaur upstages Novak Djokovic for first win over a world No. 1
While the Serb struggled with his right wrist, the Aussie impressively won all of but one of his first-serve points in a 6-4, 6-4 win at the United Cup.
Alex de Minaur can cross a win over a world No. 1 off his list of proverbial 2024 resolutions.
Supported by a roaring United Cup crowd inside Perth's RAC Arena, the Australian dazzled to upstage top-ranked Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 6-4.
“Novak is an unbelievable competitor and what he’s done for the sport is pretty special. It feels surreal, it feels amazing. I’m happy to do it here in Perth and in Australia,” he told Jim Courier in an on-court interview.
The stunning victory comes a year after De Minaur defeated then No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal in the mixed-gender team competition.
The Serbian notably struggled with a right wrist issue for the second day running, but there’s no denying De Minaur met the moment by focusing on his end of the court in a lights out performance highlighted by winning 33 of 34 first serve points against the greatest returner of all time.
In the opening set, the Sydney native won all of his first-serve points, went seven for nine at the net and produced just five unforced errors. Though he missed two break points at 3-3, the Australian put the first set on his racquet two games later following a stellar stretch. After holding at love, he blocked his returns into the back half of the court and carried that depth in his baseline exchanges to pressure Djokovic in securing the first break of the contest.
Before De Minaur stepped to the line to serve out the first set, Djokovic had his right wrist, which flared up Tuesday, rubbed down by the trainer, though wasn’t satisfied by a conversation that unfolded.
“What are you talking about? It’s an injury you treated yesterday,” he said as the unidentified trainer responded off mic.
Djokovic continued, “So the logic in that, if it continues getting worse the next day, you won’t treat it because it was occurring yesterday?”
He added, “I said it improved before the match, but the more I’m playing, it’s getting worse. That’s what I told you.”
After De Minaur closed out the set, Djokovic waved the trainer off during the break. Captain Viktor Troicki was seen pressing down on his wrist at 2-1.
De Minaur remained unflappable and unreturnable, and it was the 24-time major champion who double-faulted to fall behind 4-3.
Serving for the match, De Minaur tightened up from 40-0. After Djokovic finally won a return off his opponent’s first serve to wipe away a second match point, the home favorite misfired with a double fault. He shook it off and two points later, crossed the finish line when Djokovic’s backhand sailed long.
Put De Minaur simply, “Today was my day.”
Ajla Tomljanovic will look to ride the momentum against Natalija Stevanovic, as she bids to clinch her nation's place in the semifinals.