Australian tennis sensation Alex de Minaur’s ascension to a career-high ranking has not only made waves in the tennis world but also etched a historic milestone unseen in 51 years.
Australian prodigy Alex de Minaur’s journey at the Rotterdam Open might have ended in defeat against Jannik Sinner, but it marked a significant milestone in tennis history. Despite the setback, de Minaur’s stellar performance propelled him to a career-best ranking, soaring to number nine on the ATP leaderboard.
The reshuffling of the top 10 rankings saw Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas slipping to number 11, highlighting a remarkable occurrence in tennis history. For the first time since the inception of the ranking system in 1973, not a single player among the top 10 utilizes a one-handed backhand, a stark departure from the tradition that once dominated the sport.
Formerly, players like Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, and Richard Gasquet epitomized the elegance of the one-handed backhand, but the current landscape is dominated by players wielding two-handed backhands. This shift underscores the evolving dynamics of modern tennis techniques and playing styles.
De Minaur’s defeat against Sinner, who clinched his maiden Rotterdam Open title, showcased a display of camaraderie between the two friends and former doubles partners. Despite the loss, de Minaur hailed his journey to the final as a significant milestone, vowing to continue striving for greater achievements in his career.
