Pat Rafter has warned Alex de Minaur to batten down the hatches as he strives to enter uncharted waters at the Australian Open.

Alex de Minaur has explained why he slapped his legs during the fourth and final set of his match against Francisco Cerundolo. The No. 8 seed stormed back from a break down to advance to the second week of the Australian Open with a 5-7 7-6(3) 6-3 6-3 victory.

Alex de Minaur, the world No. 8, and Nick Kyrgios, who is back after a two-year battle with knee and wrist injuries, are the headliners for their country at Melbourne Park. Kyrgios emceed the night session on John Cain Arena Monday, before De Minaur headlines Rod Laver Arena, the pantheon of Australian tennis Tuesday night.

Here’s the remarkable truth about Alex de Minaur. Apart from the remarkable ability to overachieve, he’s completely unremarkable. It’s remarkable. I’ve searched his closet and there’s not a single skeleton to be found.

Watch the match highlights between Francisco Cerundolo & Alex de Minaur in Round 3 of the 2025 Australian Open.

It was the opening round of the 2017 Australian Open in de Minaur’s first main draw at his first major championship in his home country, when the then-17-year-old saved a match point in the fourth set before beating Gerald Melzer in five sets and almost four hours.

Everything you need to know as Alex de Minaur continues his Australian Open campaign against Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.