Tennis

Alex de Minaur, the 25-year-old Australian tennis star, has finally broken through the Grand Slam quarterfinals barrier, thanks to an unlikely source: a super-fan.After reaching the quarterfinals at the US Open in 2020, De Minaur had been stuck in the fourth round at majors, losing five times in that stage. However, in Paris on Monday, he found his "something extra" in the form of a young French teenager who cheered him on loudly during his previous win.De Minaur's new secret weapon worked wonders as he recorded just his third win over former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev in nine tries, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4. The Aussie's speed, dogged defense, and underrated creativity proved too much for Medvedev, who was also hampered by a blister on his foot."He's managed a miracle," said a smiling De Minaur of his fan. "Might have to get him on tour week in, week out."Despite his previous struggles on clay, De Minaur has found a new love for the surface at Roland Garros. After winning the first set, Medvedev was treated for a blister on his foot, and the match turned. De Minaur broke for the first time at 3-2, and was in control for the next two sets."I always thought that for me to play well on the clay I needed hot, lively conditions," said De Minaur. "But, you know, this whole tournament has proven otherwise, right?"Whatever the circumstances, De Minaur has proclaimed himself a dirt ball convert. When the match was over, he yelled something into the stands in Lenglen. Afterward, he was asked what he had said."I screamed 'I love the clay! I love it here! I can't get enough!"

Alex de Minaur's remarkable run at the 2023 Roland Garros reached new heights on Saturday as he became the first Australian man in 17 years to reach the fourth round of the clay-court major. However, it was not just his on-court performance that made headlines, but also the unwavering support of a young superfan who inspired him throughout the rain-soaked match.Throughout the four-set victory over Jan-Lennard Struff, the young boy, clad in rain gear and a backwards gray cap, was a constant presence on television cameras, cheering, clapping, and pumping his fists with every point de Minaur won. Despite multiple rain interruptions that dragged the match to over eight hours, the boy's courtside passion never wavered.De Minaur, who was visibly lifted by the support, acknowledged the boy's impact after the match. "I'm looking at him and thinking of if I was a fan, I would probably be back home, because it was bloody cold out there," he said. "I don't understand what this kid is doing, but, oh, he gave me life."After securing the victory, de Minaur made a beeline for the courtside seats to give his superfan a big hug, a high-five, and handed him a towel from his bag. "I was, like, Mate ... It was a relief more than anything. It was amazing. I appreciate this kid," de Minaur said.The heartwarming moment went viral on social media, with the video of the embrace being viewed over 1 million times on Roland Garros' official Twitter account. De Minaur later launched a public plea on social media to find the young fan, saying he "need[ed]" him in the stands for the next round.By Sunday morning, social media had done its job. De Minaur posted an update to his Instagram story that he had located the youngster. Whether the good luck charm will be in the crowd when de Minaur takes on Daniil Medvedev on Monday for a first-ever Roland Garros quarterfinal remains to be seen.