Demon to live out Olympic dream
Demon to live out Olympic dream
Wimbledon is in his immediate sights but Alex de Minaur says he would “do anything I can” for an Olympic medal after being confirmed as one of five first-time Olympians in a nine-person Australian team headed to Paris.
Australia will have four men – de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, Chris O’Connell and Rinky Hijikata – contest the men’s singles, with Ajla Tomljanovic, returning for a second Olympics, in the women’s singles.
Ellen Perez will partner Daria Saville in the women’s doubles, with Matt Ebden to team up with Tokyo mixed doubles bronze medallist John Peers in the men’s doubles. De Minaur and Popyrin will also compete in the men’s doubles.
A Davis Cup stalwart, de Minaur has long placed representing his country at the top of his list and now gets to do it as an Olympian.
“I have always wanted to be an Olympian and I am just so excited to represent the green and gold in Paris,” he said, having missed the Tokyo Games due to Covid.
“Obviously, last time round I got a little bit unlucky to not be able to play in Tokyo, but I’ve had my eyes set on Paris and I am super excited to now be officially part of this team.