Alex de Minaur v Novak Djokovic, fourth round preview, Daniela Hantuchova comments

Australia's top-ranked men's player Alex de Minaur faces a Herculean task, awaiting Novak Djokovic in the fourth round at Wimbledon.

The clash comes 12 months after the pair were set to face off in the quarter finals at the All England Club, only for a hip injury to force de Minaur to hand Djokovic a walkover.

A year on, de Minaur has recovered and is a strong chance of upsetting the 24-time grand slam champion.

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Alex De Minaur celebrates winning the third set against Arthur Cazaux at Wimbledon. Mike Hewitt via Getty Images

"He's fit, he's healthy again," former player Daniela Hantuchova told Stan Sport's Grand Slam Daily.

"I think he has to really make it a physical match because he is one of the fittest guys out there, and given how well Novak is playing and obviously everything is possible with Novak because of the champion he is.

"[But] we have to think about his age a little bit, so I think if the match really goes the distance, Alex has to try to make the rallies as long as possible and make it a physical battle more than anything.

"Novak will try to shorten up the rallies, be very precise with his serve, which he has been working incredibly well, so it's going to be crazy difficult — a big task for Alex.

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"But I think it's possible."

Speaking ahead of the match, de Minaur conceded that while his form may be down on last season, he is in a good head space for the match-up against Djokovic.

Alex de Minaur injures his hip in a fall during his campaign at Wimbledon last year AP

"I'm more prepared mentally going into this next match. Whilst my level last year was very high and it was quite dangerous, I feel like this year, mentally, I'm in a really good place, and I'm hoping that the game [and] the tennis is gonna come along," he told media.

Djokovic agreed that de Minaur is better equipped to face him this time around.

"[The] last 12 months he's been very strong and consistent, and fit as well, very fit," he said.

"Physically, he's gotten stronger; speed was never an issue, we know that, but just an overall great competitor.

"[He is] arguably playing his best tennis on grass, you know, because the ball bounces low, he stays low, he plays quite flat, and loves to play fast, loves to absorb the pace.

"A great player, and I think it's going to be a good match."

Previously, de Minaur has struggled against top players despite achieving multiple quarter-final appearances at the grand slam level.

His career record stands at 18-54 against top-10 players on the ATP Tour, suggesting a significant difference in his performance when facing elite opponents.

Most recently, in April, de Minaur lost to Carlos Alcaraz 7-5, 6-3 in the quarter-finals at the Barcelona Open. He was also bundled out of the Australian Open by Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 in January.

When it comes to Djokovic, the chances have also been historically against him.

The Serbian leads their head-to-head count 2-1 after defeating de Minaur at last year's Monte-Carlo Masters and at the Australian Open in 2023.

To take it to the No.6 seed, de Minaur must be in the battle early.

"When you have a negative head-to-head record against anyone, it always helps to have a good start, especially on Centre Court [at Wimbledon] given the record Novak has here," Hantuchova said.

"Anything to help at the beginning will be huge."

The blockbuster match is scheduled first up on Centre Court, from 10.30pm AEST.

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