A former world No. 1 is now working alongside Alex de Minaur in Beijing, with Lleyton Hewitt joining the Australian’s camp for the next few weeks. The unexpected collaboration has already attracted attention at the China Open, and De Minaur has welcomed the chance to work with one of the most important figures in Australian tennis as he looks to build momentum late in the 2026 season.
De Minaur reached the quarterfinals in Beijing after surviving a major scare against Quentin Halys, recovering from a set and 5-3 down to eventually secure his place in the last eight. He will now face Andrey Rublev, but the biggest talking point around his camp has been the presence of Hewitt in his coaching box.
The 45-year-old former world No. 1 has long remained involved in De Minaur’s career and has been a familiar presence around Australian tennis. This time, however, his role is more direct, with Hewitt set to help De Minaur for the next couple of weeks rather than simply appearing as a supporter in the player’s box.
For De Minaur, the short-term arrangement could become an important opportunity to draw on the experience of a player who knows what it takes to compete at the highest level. The Australian made clear that he is not looking too far ahead yet, but he is interested in seeing where the collaboration could eventually lead.
Hewitt joins De Minaur’s camp
De Minaur confirmed that Hewitt will be working with him for the next few weeks after his win over Halys. Rather than presenting the arrangement as a permanent coaching change, the world No. 10 described it as another chapter in a relationship that has already played an important role in his career.
“He’s helping me out for the next couple weeks," De Minaur said at press conference. "He’s been someone that’s always been there in my corner and has done so much for me. It’s amazing to have him here helping me out. Looking forward to what’s next,”
The presence of Hewitt gives De Minaur access to a former world No. 1 who won two Grand Slam titles and spent 80 weeks at the top of the ATP rankings. More importantly for De Minaur, however, their relationship predates this latest stint in the coaching box, meaning the Australian already knows what Hewitt can bring to his team.
De Minaur has also continued to receive input from Katie Boulter, who was in his box during the win over Halys. The Australian explained that her advice is not necessarily focused on tactics, but often on the mental side of individual points and maintaining a positive approach during difficult moments.
De Minaur still has Turin in sight
For De Minaur, the China Open quarterfinal against Andrey Rublev is also an important opportunity in his bid to reach the ATP Finals. The Australian is currently No. 11 in the Race to Turin, with Daniil Medvedev holding the eighth and final qualifying position. The gap is significant, but with the Shanghai Masters and Paris Masters still to come, there is enough time for the Australian to make up ground.
His schedule also gives him several more opportunities to collect points. After Beijing, De Minaur is set to continue the Asian swing at the Shanghai Masters before returning to Europe for the Vienna Open and the Paris Masters. With two Masters 1000 events still on the calendar, the final weeks of the season could have a major impact on the Race to Turin, particularly for players still fighting for the last qualification places.
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That makes the work with Hewitt particularly timely. De Minaur is not only trying to make the most of his run in Beijing, but also to build enough momentum to stay in contention for Turin as the season reaches its decisive stage. The Australian still has a path to the ATP Finals, and the next few weeks will determine how close he can get.
For now, however, his immediate focus is on Rublev and a place in the China Open semifinals. Hewitt will be alongside him as De Minaur begins a crucial stretch of the season, with Beijing followed by Shanghai and then the European indoor swing. Whatever comes next, the Australian has plenty still to play for.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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