'This sport is unpredictable': De Minaur keeps Wimbledon dream alive

Alex de Minaur navigated his way into the third round of Wimbledon with a victory over France's Adrian Mannarino, though he admitted his performance left room for improvement. The Australian player secured a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win in a match that lasted just over an hour and a half.

“

I think I've got more to give.

De Minaur, who has previously struggled with being overly critical of his own play, has learned to adopt a more pragmatic approach in the early stages of tournaments. "Ultimately, the first week is all about trying to survive and advance," he stated. "It doesn't matter how you do it, whether it's pretty, whether it's ugly... As long as you get through, you give yourself a chance."

“

One of the things I have learnt is, in the early stages of my career I was a little bit too tough on myself, wanting to start these tournaments at the highest level possible. And often I would just get frustrated and let negative feelings not allow me to get through some tough moments.

He views the second week of a Grand Slam as a reset, where the focus shifts to playing for a deep run or winning the tournament. "The first week, it's surviving and finding ways, digging deep, no matter what is thrown at you," de Minaur explained. "And then the second week is where you can enjoy yourself a little bit more."

“

Ultimately, the first week is all about trying to survive and advance. It doesn't matter how you do it, whether it's pretty, whether it's ugly, whether you play your best match or your worst match. As long as you get through, you give yourself a chance.

Looking ahead, de Minaur will face American Zachary Svajda, a player he has never competed against. Despite a path potentially opening up in the draw, de Minaur remains focused on the immediate challenge, acknowledging the inherent unpredictability of the sport. "Seeds lose. Upsets happen. This sport is unpredictable," he concluded.

“

The first week, it's surviving and finding ways, digging deep, no matter what is thrown at you. And then the second week is where you can enjoy yourself a little bit more.