Resetting at the US Open
At this year’s US Open held in New York, the concept of a “reset” has become a crucial theme for players navigating the challenges of the tournament. Coco Gauff notably took a moment during her second-round match against Donna Vekic to step away and regain composure after experiencing a panic attack. Similarly, fellow competitors Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas are also looking to find their footing after a challenging season.
Alex De Minaur’s Approach
For Alex De Minaur from Australia, who is set to face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals—seeking his first ever semifinal appearance at a Grand Slam—resetting involves modifying his usual routines to refresh his mindset. This includes personal touches, like changing his shaving schedule and even switching his dinner options, all aimed at preparing himself mentally for success.
“The second week signifies the business end of the event, where players need to reset mentally and focus on achievable goals,”
he explained to ESPN during his stay at Flushing Meadows.
De Minaur has established a habit of shaving before the tournament commences and again as the week turns over, viewing it as part of his ritual to mentally reset. “These adjustments along with changing my shoes and equipment signal that it’s time to focus and push forward,” he added.
The Shift in Atmosphere
As players progress into the second week, the atmosphere shifts notably. De Minaur pointed out that the locker room becomes less crowded, leading to a different environment that players must acclimate to.
“There are fewer singles players remaining, with more focus shifting toward doubles and junior matches. The whole atmosphere alters quite a bit,”
he said.
De Minaur’s Journey
Currently seeded No. 8, De Minaur has established himself as one of the most consistent competitors on tour, consistently striving for that defining breakthrough. Following an early exit at the French Open, he rebounded impressively at Wimbledon, reaching the fourth round before pushing through to back-to-back quarterfinal appearances at the US Open—the first Australian to achieve this since Lleyton Hewitt from 2000 to 2006, who captured the title in 2001.
This quarterfinal match marks De Minaur’s return to the last eight at a major for the first time since his US Open encounter with Dominic Thiem in 2020, where he fell to the champion. His path has been filled with obstacles, including injuries and tough losses, most recently conceding to Jannik Sinner in Australia at the beginning of 2025.
Facing Felix Auger-Aliassime
Now against Felix Auger-Aliassime, De Minaur steps into this match as a favorite for the first time on paper, despite trailing their head-to-head record 2-1. He recognizes Auger-Aliassime’s impressive form this week, which includes defeating the third seed, Alexander Zverev, followed by a gritty win over Andrey Rublev.
“Felix is playing at an incredible level, showcasing his strengths including a formidable serve and forehand. My strategy will focus on disrupting his rhythm and minimizing his ability to dominate the play,”
De Minaur acknowledged. “I’m keen to embrace these challenging matchups, knowing that it’s essential to stay resilient and push forward.”
Aiming for Grand Slam Glory
As De Minaur continues his pursuit of a Grand Slam title, he admits winning at the US Open would be just as fulfilling as triumphing on home soil at the Australian Open.
“At this level, any Grand Slam victory would be a significant achievement for me. I won’t be choosy, and I look forward to the opportunity that lies ahead,”
he concluded.
