De Minaur: "I don't think Grand Slam quarter-finals are my glass ceiling".
Alex De Minaur was no match for Jannik Sinner. In the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, the local player dreamed of setting the Rod Laver Arena alight against the Italian, but was swept aside in three short sets by the world number 1 (6-3, 6-2, 6-1).
The 25-year-old Australian has now reached the quarter-finals of every Grand Slam tournament, but has never progressed beyond this stage despite five attempts.
In a press conference after his elimination, De Minaur spoke of his chances of winning such tournaments in the future.
"It's difficult for me to sit down, talk about this defeat and say that I can go all the way in a Grand Slam.
But once I've said that, I think there will be opportunities. Tennis is all about confrontation.
Right now, my worst opponent on the circuit is Jannik (10-0 for the Italian). When it comes to confrontation, there's no forgiving that.
But if I'm in another part of the draw, who knows? I think I'll give myself a chance to do better.
I don't think Grand Slam quarter-finals are my glass ceiling.
I see other players who have gone even further, reaching the last four or even the final. I really think I can do as well.
If they've been able to do it, why shouldn't I be able to do it too?" he asked Tennis Australia.
