Tennis

Alex de Minaur, the Australian tennis star, has made a remarkable start to the 2024 season, winning the Acapulco title and maintaining his Top 10 ranking. However, his focus extends beyond his own success, as he prioritizes supporting his girlfriend, Katie Boulter, in her tennis career.De Minaur's dedication to Boulter was evident when he skipped his Acapulco victory celebration to catch an early flight to San Diego to witness her compete in the biggest final of her career. His decision was rewarded as Boulter rallied to clinch her second WTA trophy.De Minaur admits to being "a little bit jealous" of Boulter's explosive tennis style, which he describes as "smacking winners left and right." He admires her ability to make the game look effortless, while he has to grind for every point.Despite his own success, De Minaur remains focused on improving his "boyfriend rankings." He believes that supporting Boulter's career is more important than his own ATP ranking.On Friday, De Minaur extended his winning streak to 16 matches this season with a dominant victory over Taro Daniel at the Indian Wells Masters. He is currently ranked No. 3 in the race to Turin, with notable results including a win over Novak Djokovic and a runner-up finish in Rotterdam.De Minaur's impressive start to the year highlights his determination to succeed both on and off the court. His unwavering support for Boulter demonstrates his commitment to their relationship and his belief in her potential as a tennis player.

Alex de Minaur's exceptional footwork and aggressive play earned him a well-deserved victory over Casper Ruud in the Acapulco final. De Minaur's quickness and ability to cover the court allowed him to neutralize Ruud's power and control the match.Despite his smaller frame, de Minaur's speed and agility made him a formidable opponent. He consistently cut off angles, took the ball early, and stormed the net, forcing Ruud to make errors. The Australian's 20 winners and 23 successful net approaches compared favorably to Ruud's eight winners and five net points.One pivotal point came in the third set when Ruud served at 3-3. De Minaur's lightning-fast reflexes allowed him to return a powerful forehand crosscourt and then step into a forehand winner to break serve. This moment showcased de Minaur's ability to turn defense into offense and seize control of the match.Ugo Humbert also impressed in Dubai, winning his first title of the season after a remarkable run of victories over top-ranked opponents. Humbert's aggressive ball-striking and relentless determination proved too much for his more experienced rivals.Despite his low-margin shots, Humbert displayed impeccable timing and shot-making talent. His ability to shorten his forehand backswing and block the ball at his opponents' feet proved particularly effective. Humbert's resilience was also evident in his three-set quarterfinal win over Hubert Hurkacz, where he overcame three match points in a second-set tiebreaker.Humbert's victory in Dubai is a testament to his hard work and determination. He has now cracked the Top 15 and will look to continue his success at Indian Wells.

Alex de Minaur has etched his name in the history books of the ATP 500 event in Acapulco, becoming only the fourth player to win the title in consecutive years. The Australian's triumph over Casper Ruud in the 2024 final marks his second consecutive victory at the tournament, following his success in 2023.De Minaur's victory is a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite entering the tournament with doubts about his form, he gradually found his rhythm and played his best match in the final. His ability to break Ruud's serve in crucial moments proved decisive, as he secured the victory in one hour and 57 minutes.The Australian's triumph in Acapulco is a significant milestone in his career. It is the first time he has successfully defended an ATP title, and it elevates his total ATP title count to eight. De Minaur's previous ATP 500 victory came in Acapulco in 2023, while he has also claimed six ATP 250 crowns.De Minaur's victory is not only a personal triumph but also a boost for Australian tennis. He is now the highest-ranked Australian player on the ATP Tour, sitting at No. 10. His success in Acapulco will provide inspiration for aspiring young players in his home country.While De Minaur celebrated his victory, Ruud also had reason to be proud of his performance in Acapulco. The Norwegian reached his 20th ATP final, his first at the ATP 500 level. His run to the final will see him return to the Top 10 of the ATP rankings, rising from No. 11 to No. 9.The 2024 Acapulco tournament showcased the depth of talent on the ATP Tour. De Minaur's victory and Ruud's impressive performance are a testament to the competitive nature of the sport. As the ATP Tour moves on to Indian Wells, fans can expect more thrilling matches and captivating storylines.