Bold truth: Alex de Minaur isn’t satisfied with merely reaching another Rotterdam Open final — he’s aiming to tighten up the gaps in his game. And this is the part you’ll want to read closely to understand how he plans to break through. But here’s where it gets controversial: even with a third straight final, he’s openly targeting improvements that could redefine his season.
De Minaur defeated Ugo Humbert to book his third final in as many years at Rotterdam, extending his streak but not sealing a Rotterdam crown just yet. He has previously fallen to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the title matches and now faces a tough test against Felix Auger-Aliassime in what promises to be another high-stakes battle.
After clinching his spot in the ATP 500 final, De Minaur addressed several areas he wants to sharpen. He admits there are still too many mistakes, including unforced errors that, in his view, aren’t characteristic of his game.
“There are plenty of areas to improve. There are still unnecessary mistakes or unforced errors that aren’t normal,” he explained. “They’re not balls where I’m trying to do too much — they’re what I call ‘nothing balls’ that I’m missing, and I need to cut down on that.”
Yet he remains confident about the broader arc of his performance. He’s pleased with how his serve is functioning, giving him credible opportunities to break, and he notes that as the conditions slow and the balls become trickier, adapting becomes the essential skill. He’s comfortable with gradual improvement and understands the importance of adjusting to slow, challenging surfaces.
Historically, Rotterdam has been a stronghold for him: five straight appearances, three consecutive finals after back-to-back quarter-finals in 2023 and 2022, and a record that underlines his proficiency at this indoor venue. His journey through the tournament has seen him stumble only in the later rounds against top-tier talent like Grigor Dimitrov and Stefanos Tsitsipas, underscoring the uphill climb against elite competitors. His only early exit at Rotterdam came in 2021, when he was upset by fellow Australian John Millman in straight sets—the lone first-round loss on an otherwise durable run.
As the 2026 season unfolds, one question remains hot: will De Minaur join the very top echelons by year’s end, or will he remain among the elite chasing pack behind Sinner and Alcaraz? His willingness to dissect his own game and fix the ‘nothing balls’ could be the catalyst for a breakout season. What do you think: should he risk more aggressive play to reduce errors, or keep dialing back mistakes with a steadier approach? Share your take in the comments.
