Champion De Minaur: ‘Perfect end to top week’

Alex de Minaur has won the 33rd edition of Libéma Open. In the final, the number one seed knocked off seventh-ranked American Sebastian Korda: 6-2 6-4.

‘It feels great to win here. There is no better way to kick off the grass season,’ said De Minaur, whose week of success on the Brabant grass will see him climb further up the ATP rankings to his highest ranking of number seven in the world.

‘I arrived here a bit unsure, but I improved every day and I leave with the title. A perfect end to a top week,’ continued the brand-new champion, who earlier this year already won a title in Acapulco, Mexico, reached the final in Rotterdam and is now winning a grass tournament for the second time in his career. In total, the tally now stands at nine ATP titles.

‘This beautiful winner’s trophy will soon be sent home, where it will have a special place.’

Australian tradition & Dutch fans
Besides his personal success, tennis-mad Australia can also be proud. After Pat Rafter (1998-2000) and Lleyton Hewitt (2001), De Minaur is the third Aussie to win Libéma Open.

‘It’s incredibly cool to get on that list of greats. It is already quite an honour to be mentioned in the same breath as them, but I will have to win a lot more matches to match their achievements, but I will do my best,’ assured the 25-year-old overall winner.

Of course, there was also much praise for his fans, who were there in large numbers in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

‘I am incredibly grateful to you. It felt a bit crazy to enjoy so much support in a country so far away from Australia. I really appreciate that you made it such a memorable week and braved the difficult weather conditions with us.’

Korda
The final briefly looked to go into a third set, but a comeback by Korda in the second game was quashed at the last minute by De Minaur, who could breathe a sigh of relief.

‘I would have loved to finish it on my first match point, but it was a tough match and I did nothing wrong at all when he fought back. All the happier I am with the quick switch at the end. Hopefully I can keep this momentum throughout the rest of the grass season.’

In any case, Korda and De Minaur are going to meet again next week in London, even if it is on the same side of the net. ‘You’re going to be a huge threat on grass this year and I’m looking forward to our doubles next week. I can’t do much of it, so you get to do all the work,’ joked the new champion during the awards ceremony on the packed centre court.

For his part, the 23-year-old Korda looks back on a more than positive first visit to Libéma Open. ‘I want to thank the tournament management, all the fans, sponsors, photographers and ball kids. It’s my first time here and hopefully I can return in the future. See you soon!’