"It’s a wasted opportunity": Alex de Minaur rues missed chance after Sinner and Djokovic exits

Alex de Minaur made a candid admission following his third-round exit at Roland Garros, acknowledging that the early eliminations of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic may have contributed to a rare sense of pressure during a match he ultimately failed to close out. The Australian described the defeat as a “wasted opportunity” in a draw that had unexpectedly opened up in Paris.

The World No. 7 had entered his clash against Jakub Mensik on Friday with a clear path into the second week of the tournament. After an emphatic start, he dominated the opening set without conceding a game, appearing in full control of the encounter. However, momentum shifted sharply as the Czech opponent responded to take the next three sets and complete a 0-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 victory.

Speaking after the loss, De Minaur struggled to fully explain the collapse in level, admitting he allowed his opponent back into the match after initially dictating play. He described the defeat as one of the most disappointing of his recent career, particularly given the physical freshness he felt heading into the contest.

For the Australian, a seven-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist, the context of the draw added further weight to the result, with several top contenders already eliminated from his section of the tournament. Instead of capitalising on the opening, De Minaur was left reflecting on a missed chance at a stage where opportunities of this kind are rare.

One of the central themes of De Minaur’s press conference was not the match itself, but the wider context surrounding the result. With Sinner already eliminated from the tournament and Djokovic also exiting earlier than expected, the Australian acknowledged that the landscape of the draw had shifted significantly during the second week in Paris.

Asked whether those developments affected him mentally, De Minaur admitted he could not give a definitive answer, but conceded the possibility could not be ruled out. More importantly, he repeatedly returned to the idea that he had failed to take advantage of a situation that rarely presents itself at the business end of a Grand Slam.

“I would like to think that it wouldn't have affected me, but maybe it did. I really don't know right now. Obviously, where I'm sitting right now, I feel like it's a wasted opportunity. As I said, there's not many times you get these types of opportunities.

“Or even in my career, I feel like I haven't really been handed too many of these opportunities. Normally, at the tail end of tournaments, I'm playing these top players and it kind of feels like the door's been shut in front of me.

“Once in a blue moon, you get an opportunity like this and you have to be able to take it. I did exactly the opposite today.”

The Australian’s frustration stemmed from the feeling that conditions had aligned in his favour. Instead of facing the sport’s dominant figures deep into the tournament, he found himself in a section that appeared more open than usual. However, the opportunity slipped away after a match in which he initially held complete control.

Beyond the immediate disappointment, De Minaur also pointed to a broader pattern emerging over the past month. The Australian admitted he has been dealing with unfamiliar situations, despite a career built on consistency and resilience at the top level of the game.

Known for his relentless playing style and competitive intensity, De Minaur struggled to reconcile that identity with what unfolded on court. He admitted that momentum shifts during the match felt uncharacteristic, particularly given his early dominance and physical advantage.

“The stuff that's been happening the last month is stuff that hasn't really happened to me in my career before. So I'm just trying to find reasons and solutions for it," the world No. 7 said. “I always felt like I'm that guy, a dog with a bone. I just won't let go, won't stop until the very end.”

Earlier in the press conference, he had already expressed frustration at the way the match unfolded, admitting that he had allowed his opponent back into contention after taking early control. “Pretty disappointing. Missed opportunity. I just took the foot off the gas. I let him back into the match.

“Very unlike me, very disappointed in myself because, under all kinds of circumstances, this is the type of match that I need to find a way to win. He's come from a physical battle. I'm fresh as they come. It's just not good.”

De Minaur now turns his attention to the upcoming grass-court season, although his comments suggest the focus may extend beyond technical adjustments. He admitted uncertainty over how best to reset, acknowledging that both confidence and clarity have been tested during a difficult stretch.

Still, the Australian insisted that rediscovering his competitive edge will be essential if he is to make the most of future opportunities at the highest level of the sport. “I really need to find that fire and hunger, because I think it's been lacking a little bit.”