"You're losing a bit of that variety" - Alex de Minaur on changes in tennis since Roger Federer and Rafale Nadal left the game

With the legendary duo of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal finally hanging up their rackets, Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur has noticed some changes in the game style of current ATP players.

Federer retired at the 2022 Laver Cup, with Nadal following suit at the Davis Cup in 2024. Although a new flock of stars have emerged, it is difficult to imagine anyone having such an impact on the sport as the two tennis greats.

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People have been hitting the ball harder, says de Minaur

Prior to his opening round match at the 2025 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Alex de Minaur was asked to compare the current tennis scene to when he was still rising up the rankings five years ago.

"That is a great question," said the World No.8. “I feel like right now tennis is evolving into a sport where the ball speed is a little bit quicker. I feel like people are hitting the ball with a lot more force.
"you’re losing a little bit of that variety that maybe you had with obviously the likes of Roger [Federer] out there. It feels like everything’s a lot more fast-paced, right, because the technology, rackets, the balls. Conditions are slower, everyone is hitting the ball so much harder.
“The average ball speed – I would need a fact check – but I’m pretty certain that it’s gone up since I’ve even started on tour. Everything is a little bit more fast-paced, right? You have a little bit less time to think.

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“In the past you had someone like Rafa [Nadal], which played with extreme spin and heaviness and shape. Completely different ball, but at least you had a little bit of time to think about it. It kind of spread you in different ways. There were more angles.
“Now it just feels like it’s very quick and kind of, yeah, big hitting I guess is probably the best way I can describe it. As a player myself, I’ve had to adapt and kind of find ways to hit the ball a little bit harder just to adapt. Adapt or die, yeah."

The Aussie star would fall to former US Open champion Marin Cilic in his opening round Dubai match, as the Croat recorded an impressive 6-2 3-6 6-3 victory.

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