Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Saturday, June 1, 2024
Photo credit: Corleve/Mark Peterson
Sometimes all a player needs to be victorious is one person standing in the corner to provide support.
Typically, this is the player’s team, coach, or other important person.
However, in the case of Australia Alex de Minaur, the young fans in the crowd made all the difference. Now de Minaur is hoping social media will help him find fans before his next match at Roland Garros.
more: Medvedev tames shotmakers in Paris
Eleventh-seeded De Minaur advanced to the fourth round with a hard-fought 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Germany on Saturday. Jan-Lennard Struff.
During the game, a young boy near the court could be seen vocally encouraging the Australian player throughout the game. The young fan, along with the players, was very meaningful as he stayed in his seat from the beginning to the end of the game despite several rain delays and chilly weather.
We have to find the name of this legend!!! Please send us a message on Instagram. We need you for the next round
https://t.co/VCOvzXmTWh
— Alex de Minaur (@alexdeminaur) June 1, 2024
“The young man was there from start to finish, even with a five-hour delay, despite the rain. He was the little kid who screamed in my face after every change, every single point I scored. You know, I was looking at him and thinking, if I’m a fan, he’ll probably go home, de Minaur said later.
“I don’t understand what this kid is doing, but oh, he gave me life. Every time the end changes, I look at him and lock my eyes with him. I just gave him a hug. I was like a mate. More than anything, I felt relieved. It was great. I am thankful for this child (laughs).
“Yeah, the fact that he cheered me on for 10 hours on the court in sub-zero cold today made me happy to win with him.”
After winning, De Minaur walked up to the young fan, hugged him and thanked him for his support. He asked the fan what he had given him.
“I gave him a towel. I would have given him everything in my bag. I mean, I wasn’t thinking straight about my feelings, but he deserved it all. Racquets, shoes, whatever he wants.”
De Minaur later took to social media to ask everyone on the internet if they could help verify the identity of the young fan in the hope that he could provide them with tickets to the next game.
Hello everyone, we need to find this boy!
X Make the magic work
@alexdeminaur https://t.co/951QEdPd6J pic.twitter.com/yawXt68VI4
— Roland Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2024
So if you know who this young super fan is, please let Alex know. De Minaur’s next seed is a No. 5 seed. Daniil Medvedev.
Photo credit: Corleve/Mark Peterson
