Alex de Minaur Defends Best-of-Five Grand Slam Format

As the debate surrounding the physical toll of the tennis calendar intensifies, world No. 9 Alex de Minaur has firmly aligned himself with the sport's traditionalists. Speaking at the China Open, the Australian counter-puncher addressed the ongoing discussions about whether Grand Slams should transition to a best-of-three-set format. For de Minaur, the grueling nature of a best-of-five-set match is not an administrative burden, but the very essence of tennis history.

The Five-Set Crucible: De Minaur and Alcaraz Stand Firm on Slam Heritage

De Minaur's stance highlights a growing ideological division among the ATP’s elite. While Daniil Medvedev has expressed openness to shortening Grand Slam matches to streamline the sport for television, de Minaur and Carlos Alcaraz have vocally defended the status quo. De Minaur argues that the five-set format preserves the physical and mental storytelling unique to Major tournaments, where tactical adjustments over four hours define legendary champions.

To survive these marathons, players must manage their court positioning meticulously. De Minaur, renowned for his lightning-fast recovery behind the baseline, relies on deep defensive positioning to neutralize aggressive baseline strikes. According to official data on the ATP Tour, players who maintain a high second-serve win percentage—above 55%—during extended matches consistently find ways to navigate the physical dips that inevitably occur in the fourth and fifth sets.

Beijing Support Fuels the Aussie's Hard-Court Engine

Beyond the structural debates of the tour, de Minaur's immediate focus remains on the hard courts of Asia. He expressed deep appreciation for the passionate reception he has received from Chinese fans, both in Beijing and during his previous campaigns in Zhuhai. This crowd energy often serves as a vital emotional reserve when executing high-intensity baseline defense.

The atmospheric intensity in Beijing has been a standout feature of this swing, reminiscent of the passionate crowds we highlighted in our coverage of the intense battles at the China Open. For a player like de Minaur, who covers an immense amount of ground, feeding off the crowd's energy is a tactical asset that helps maintain his high-octane footwork through grueling rallies.

Rivalry Matchup & Player Profiles

Alex de Minaur holds a razor-thin 5-4 lead in his head-to-head series against Andrey Rublev. Their contrast in styles creates a compelling tactical chess match. Rublev seeks to dictate play from the center of the court with heavy topspin forehands, while de Minaur excels at redirecting pace from deep defensive positions, turning defensive recovery into offensive counter-punches.

In their most recent encounter in the quarterfinals of the 2026 China Open, de Minaur demonstrated his trademark resilience. After being overwhelmed in the opening set 1-6, the Australian adjusted his return positioning, stepping inside the baseline to take Rublev's second serve early. This tactical shift allowed him to win 62% of his second-serve return points in the final two sets, ultimately securing a 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory.