Alex de Minaur

I think it’s probably the thing that many people assume is the most glamorous: constantly travelling. Living out of a suitcase, moving from hotel room to hotel room. It feels like we travel the world, but we don’t really get to see it. We‘re there to compete, and most of the day is spent at the courts, so we rarely have the chance to explore the beautiful cities were playing in. That’s probably one of the toughest parts of being a professional tennis player.

There’s very little downtime, but when we do have it, we actually try to minimise travelling. We choose destinations based on proximity and how easy they are to reach. Some people might head to the Maldives, but after so many flights throughout the season, getting on another plane isn't always appealing. If we’re already in Europe, we'll usually stay somewhere nearby, like Italy, where it’s easy to get to.

I just try to be a normal person. I like exploring cities when I can, finding coffee shops, playing a bit of golf – anything that slows life down a little. Those are the things that help me disconnect from tennis. And I try to stay off my phone whenever I can. I enjoy more analogue things. I love vintage cars, watches, anything mechanical that lets you appreciate the moment. 

It probably started when I was younger watching shows like Top Gear and Wheeler Dealers. They really got me interested in cars. Up until four or five years ago, I was mostly into modern cars, but then I bought my first classic – a 1974 Mini – and everything changed! It was British Racing Green. I loved how quirky it was. 

Definitely! If I ever stopped travelling and competing, I think I’d become obsessed with collecting... I’ve started collecting a few classics already, but what gives me the most enjoyment isn’t owning them – it’s driving them. Whenever I’m home, the first thing I do is take them out for a drive.

It really goes hand in hand with my interest in mechanical engineering. What drew me into watches was understanding how they work, all the different components and the craftsmanship involved. I went down the rabbit hole of different brands and manufacturers, and, just like with cars, I realised I didn’t want to wear what everyone else thought was cool. I wanted watches that meant something to me because of their history and their place in watchmaking.

That I can actually play tennis wearing it!

The case shape is incredibly distinctive, and it’s something you notice immediately on the wrist. But then you start discovering all the thoughtful details, like the crown positioned on the left-hand side, which makes it much more comfortable for tennis players. The rubber strap is extremely comfortable, and once you pick it up, you really notice how light it is thanks to the titanium case. Overall, it’s a performance watch that can handle a full match, but afterwards you can wear exactly the same watch out to dinner. It just wears beautifully.

Believe in yourself. Everyone out there wants to win, and people can be very quick to criticise you. I’ve always been very hard on myself, and it’s definitely been a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s probably one of the reasons I’ve reached the level I have because I’ve never been satisfied and I’ve always wanted to improve. But as I’ve become older and more mature, I’ve worked on celebrating my achievements and allowing myself to be proud of them. 

Growing up, Roger Federer was that person for me. He represented everything I admired about tennis. He carried himself like a true gentleman, remained calm under pressure and always looked composed. He was definitely the player I looked up to most.

I think tennis is such a fast-paced sport that it’s difficult for anyone. Compared with many other sports, we go from one tournament straight into the next. You don’t really have time to celebrate or reflect because the moment one tournament finishes, you're already thinking about flights, travel and preparing for the following week. Unless the schedule changes and there are fewer events, I think future generations will face exactly the same challenge! But, if I were looking back at my younger self, I’d tell myself to enjoy the journey a little more – and take the time to appreciate the achievements along the way.