As the 2025 French Open heats up at Roland Garros, Alex de Minaur, Australia’s tenacious No. 1, is making waves on the clay courts, advancing to the second round with a hard-fought victory over Laslo Djere. The 26-year-old, ranked world No. 7, has long been celebrated for his relentless speed and defensive prowess, but his recent comments about wanting to emulate a signature shot from rival Carlos Alcaraz have sparked intrigue among fans and analysts. In a candid press conference following his win, De Minaur revealed his desire to adopt Alcaraz’s powerful forehand, a weapon he believes could elevate his game on the challenging clay surface. With a favorable draw and a renewed focus on adding topspin to his arsenal, De Minaur’s aspirations signal his ambition to break through against top-tier opponents like Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
De Minaur’s first-round match against Djere was a testament to his grit, as he battled for two hours to secure a 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-3 victory. His performance showcased the speed and court coverage that make him a formidable opponent, earning him a second-round clash with either Alexei Popyrin or Alexander Bublik. Yet, despite his consistency—reaching the quarterfinals in four consecutive Grand Slams since 2024—the Aussie has struggled against the elite, holding a 0-13 record against Alcaraz and Sinner combined. Reflecting on his clay-court evolution, De Minaur shared, “Perhaps my next stage of improvement will be to play with a bit more topspin, which is not easy for me but essential on clay courts.” He then pinpointed Alcaraz’s forehand as the shot he’d most like to steal, alongside Casper Ruud’s, noting its ability to dominate rallies and create opportunities on the slow, gritty surface.
Alcaraz, the reigning French Open champion, has wielded his forehand as a devastating weapon, evident in their past encounters. In their 2022 Barcelona Open semifinal, Alcaraz saved a match point with a stunning forehand passing shot, ultimately winning 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-4. “Without a doubt, against you in Barcelona, 15-40, 6-5, second set. I can’t still believe that I made that shot,” Alcaraz later teased De Minaur in a light-hearted ATP video segment. Their rivalry, now at 4-0 in Alcaraz’s favor, includes a 2023 Queen’s Club final (6-4, 6-4) and a 2025 Barcelona quarterfinal (7-5, 6-3), where De Minaur pushed the Spaniard but couldn’t overcome his aggressive baseline play. “When I play Carlos, we always have very tough battles,” De Minaur said after their Rotterdam final in February 2025, where Alcaraz prevailed 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. “It’s definitely a better matchup for me—playing Carlos. I feel, in ways, I can rush him a little bit; I can pin him and hurt him, and make his life uncomfortable.”
De Minaur’s admiration for Alcaraz’s forehand stems from its versatility and power, qualities that shine on clay, where players often retreat behind the baseline. Alcaraz’s ability to dictate points, as seen in his 24-4 clay record over the past year, makes his forehand a game-changer. “You have to hit the shot strong, just to push him to take a few steps back,” Alcaraz explained about his drop-shot setup, a tactic that complements his forehand’s ability to open the court. De Minaur, whose flatter shots suit faster surfaces like grass, recognizes that adding topspin could help him counter the high-bouncing clay. His 2024 Monte Carlo quarterfinal run, where he upset Novak Djokovic, showed his clay-court potential, but losses to Alcaraz and Sinner highlight the need for a bigger weapon.
The Aussie’s path at Roland Garros offers hope. A potential fourth-round matchup with Hubert Hurkacz or Daniil Medvedev awaits, but avoiding Alcaraz or Sinner until later rounds could give him a chance to build momentum. His speed, which he’s likened to Djokovic’s defensive prowess, remains his greatest asset, as seen in a 2023 Queen’s final point where he stunned Alcaraz with a rare drop volley that spun back to his side, earning a high-five from the Spaniard. “Overall, a great week, feeling confident,” De Minaur said after that loss, a sentiment echoed now as he eyes a deep run in Paris. By channeling Alcaraz’s forehand and refining his topspin, De Minaur aims to turn close battles into victories, potentially rewriting his story against the tour’s top dogs.
# Alex de Minaur Eyes Alcaraz’s Forehand to Boost Clay-Court Game
## A Gritty Start
Alex de Minaur, Australia’s No. 1, kicked off his 2025 French Open campaign with a 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-3 win over Laslo Djere, showcasing his trademark speed and resilience. The two-hour battle on May 26 set up a second-round clash with Alexei Popyrin or Alexander Bublik, as De Minaur eyes a deep run at Roland Garros.
## The Alcaraz Challenge
De Minaur’s 0-4 record against Carlos Alcaraz, including a dramatic 2022 Barcelona semifinal (6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-4), highlights the Spaniard’s edge. “Without a doubt, against you in Barcelona, 15-40, 6-5, second set. I can’t still believe that I made that shot,” Alcaraz recalled of his match-point-saving forehand. De Minaur, however, sees hope: “When I play Carlos, we always have very tough battles. I can rush him a little bit; I can pin him and hurt him.”
## The Dream Shot
In a press conference, De Minaur revealed he’d steal Alcaraz’s forehand to enhance his clay-court game. “Perhaps my next stage of improvement will be to play with a bit more topspin,” he said, citing Alcaraz’s and Casper Ruud’s forehands as ideal for dominating on clay. Alcaraz’s 24-4 clay record and ability to “hit the shot strong” make his forehand a weapon De Minaur covets.
## Tactical Evolution
De Minaur’s speed, likened to Djokovic’s, shone in a 2023 Queen’s final drop volley that stunned Alcaraz. Yet, his 0-13 record against Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner underscores the need for offensive firepower. His 2024 Monte Carlo quarterfinal run showed promise, but losses in Barcelona (7-5, 6-3) and Rotterdam (6-4, 3-6, 6-2) to Alcaraz reveal the gap.
## Path to Success
With a favorable draw, De Minaur could face Hubert Hurkacz or Daniil Medvedev in the fourth round, avoiding Alcaraz and Sinner early. “Overall, a great week, feeling confident,” he said after Queen’s 2023. By adopting Alcaraz’s forehand spin and leveraging his speed, De Minaur aims to turn close matches into victories, chasing his first Grand Slam semifinal in Paris.
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