'I want to challenge Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem in 2021,' says..

Alex de Minaur won three ATP titles in 2019 and cracked the top-20 by the end of the season, seeking more notable results in 2020 as the youngster to watch. The Aussie fought bravely at the last year's ATP Cup against Rafael Nadal before suffering an injury that pulled him away from the Australian Open. De Minaur bounced back at the US Open and beat Richard Gasquet, Karen Khachanov and Vasek Pospisil to reach the first Major quarter-final, losing to Dominic Thim in straight sets. De Minaur advanced into the Antwerp title match in the closing stages of the season and worked hard during the pre-season training sessions.

The Aussie made a great start of the year in Antalya, defeating five rivals to claim his fourth ATP title and gather momentum ahead of the ATP Cup and the Australian Open. The 21-year-old advanced to his eighth ATP final following a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 triumph over David Goffin and claimed the trophy when Alexander Bublik retired after a couple of games. Speaking about the Aussie swing, de Minaur said he wants to play on a high level in front of the home fans and for the rest of the year, seeking top-ranked spots and victories against the world's leading players.

Alex de Minaur will try to challenge the top-ranked players in 2021.

"2020 was a tough year. Obviously, I had my best result at a Major, but it doesn't feel like my best achievement. It was still a dark time, and I wasn't feeling great. It wasn't my best performance when we talk about the mental level. I ended up putting a couple of matches together and had my best result. It's still something to be proud of, but it still wasn't the best year. On the other hand, it's just fuelling the hunger for 2021 to make it even better. I've got my goal in my head of where I want to be when 2021 finishes up, but it's a goal that I don't like to say out loud.

My team and I had a plan, and I made a strong start in Antalya. I want to keep pushing myself up the rankings, play consistent tennis and challenge the rivals from the top. That's where I believe I should be and where I want to be; I have been working hard, and I'll do everything I can to get there. That means hitting the ball a bit bigger, being a bit more aggressive, getting a bit stronger - these things - until it becomes just natural. I don't want a good result every now and then. I want to compete at my best every week. Hopefully, I can be playing my best tennis at the ATP Cup and the Aussie Open," Alex de Minaur said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2KL7Ajs