Australian Open 2026: Jim Courier spills on Alex de Minaur’s glaring flaw, latest tennis news

No, those two things aren’t in the form of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz – who the Aussie has records of 0-13 and 0-5 records against respectively.

Instead, Courier believes a mindset switch and trusting his grip are the keys to unlocking the Demon.

“He’s so close (to challenging for a grand slam). He’s been in so many quarterfinals,” Courier told news.com.au on Monday.

“He just has to keep taking things step by step. If he can keep attacking it mentally, just keep improving little elements. Keep getting a little bit faster, a little bit stronger a little bit more consistent.

“The elements are falling into place he just has to be ready to take his chances and that is where he is struggling.

“At the US Open, I thought he had a great chance in the quarters against Felix Auger-Aliassime to really go on with it. But the moment got to him.

“He is so determined, but he needs to be able to rise to the challenge, block out the noise and focus on his game.”

The 26-year-old has consistently made grand slam quarterfinal after grand slam quarterfinal, but struggles to make the next leap to challenge the best.

He is yet to ever feature in a semi-final of a major tournament, with an 0-6 record in grand slam quarterfinals.

No one can question his heart or determination, but many have pointed out that he lacks the attacking weapons to beat the likes of Sinner, Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic.

Fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis even said as much ahead of de Minaur’s first-round match.

“He might not have weapons as far as firepower goes but people probably would have said that about Lleyton (Hewitt) as well, but these guys have other weapons,” Kokkinakis said.

“Demon’s mentality is incredible. He is one of the fastest players on tour, and he has a great attitude, and he is always looking to improve. Whether he has as many weapons as an Alcaraz or these guys is different.

“Everyone has their own strengths, and you never know what can happen in a grand slam.

“Guys can get injured, guys can pull out, they can maybe have an off day, and he could be right there, ready to pounce.”

Explaining why there is a consensus that de Minaur doesn’t have enough ‘weapons’, Courier pointed to his grip and how it limits his ability to generate power and attack points the way Sinner and Alcaraz do.

“Where it’s tricky is he can’t fall back on power,” Courier said.

“Alex didn’t grow up as an overpowering player. He uses defence and counter-attacks to be successful and to win points.

“The way he hits the ball and how much spin he puts on the ball also limits how he can attack points.

“You need spin to keep the ball in the court and his grips don’t give him what some of his opponents have. So he can’t swing as hard as them and he has to be mindful of that.

“But as I like to say you have to dance with the date you brought. You have to work with what you have got and to maximise that potential and use the weapons at your disposal.

“All he can do is try to maximise his potential and I don’t know anyone who is doing more to try and do just that.”

De Minaur’s forehand grip is traditionally considered an Eastern grip, which allows for flat, fast shots.

However, it doesn’t have the same spin and shape of Continental or modern Semi-Western/Western grips – used by Alcaraz, Sinner and Novak Djokovic – that allow for better topspin shape and more power.

While Courier believes trusting his ability and sticking to what he does best is key to making a deep run at the Australian Open, de Minaur also has a far from ideal draw to contend with.

The Aussie will kickstart his Australian Open campaign against American lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald on Rod Laver Arena on Monday afternoon.

If he progresses, he will face either Mariano Navone or Hamad Medjedovic in the second round before things get far trickier.

De Minaur is on a collision course with Francis Tiafoe in the third and a red-hot Alexander Bublik in the fourth round.

Then he would be projected to play Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev in the quarters and semis before likely Sinner in the final. Talk about a brutal path.

Meanwhile, Courier has been doing some extra work outside of his commentary and interview duties at Melbourne Park, as part of his new partnership with Uber.

For Uber, there was only one name in the world synonymous with both tennis and delivery, and that’s Courier – thanks to his likability and last name.

In the new Uber ad. Courier swaps a mic for a backpack full of food, going from calling the shots to calling on Uber Eats customers as he delivers dinner and groceries.

Courier says with the perfect last name, he couldn’t resist teaming up with the food delivery service, and had some ideas for other players for future campaigns.

“On the Uber name-theme, I have some ideas. Jannik Sinner comes to mind,” Courier told news.com.au, referencing how Sinner and dinner could work.

“Casper Ruud also, or maybe Iga Swiatek, even on her first name. You know, eagerly awaiting.”

Click here to read article