Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
Alex de Minaur has chosen a quick return to competition after another disappointing French Open campaign, entering the grass court season with hopes of rebuilding momentum at the Dutch tournament in s Hertogenbosch. The Australian number one will compete at the ATP 250 event beginning this weekend after his third round exit at Roland Garros left him weighing whether to rest or immediately return to competition.
De Minaur suffered a four set defeat to Czech rising star Jakub Mensik in Paris and admitted afterwards that he was uncertain about his next move.
Instead of stepping away, the world number seven has accepted a wildcard into the Dutch tournament where he previously enjoyed success and where he hopes to reignite his season before Wimbledon.
De Minaur turns focus to familiar grass success
The tournament in s Hertogenbosch has previously provided an important boost for de Minaur.
He captured the title there in 2024 before carrying strong form into Wimbledon, where he later reached the quarter finals.
Last season he skipped the event after an earlier than expected exit in Paris left him frustrated. Following discussions with his team, he has taken a different approach this year.
The decision underlines how important grass court preparation can be for a player whose style naturally suits faster surfaces.
De Minaur has often looked more comfortable moving away from clay, where long rallies and slower conditions have historically limited his strongest qualities.
Difficult months after Rotterdam success
Earlier in the season, de Minaur lifted the Rotterdam Open trophy, securing the 11th title of his career and appearing well placed for another breakthrough year.
Since then, results have become more inconsistent.
Despite maintaining a place inside the world top ten, momentum has faded through the European clay swing.
He arrives in the Netherlands as one of three top ten players in the draw alongside Felix Auger Aliassime and Daniil Medvedev.
Grass season now offers an opportunity to reset expectations before the biggest tournament of the summer.
Strong results over the coming weeks could again position him as one of the more dangerous seeds entering Wimbledon.
Preston finds encouragement on grass courts
While de Minaur prepares for his return, fellow Australian Taylah Preston has already found encouragement from switching surfaces.
The 20 year old endured a difficult clay campaign after losing both of her tour level matches on the surface, including a first round qualifying defeat at Roland Garros.
Her move to grass appears to have provided an immediate boost.
Competing at the Birmingham Open WTA 125 event, Preston defeated British players Alicia Dudeney and Katie Swan to reach the quarter finals.
It marked her deepest run at this level since reaching the semi finals of the Hobart event earlier this year.
Her tournament ended with a three set defeat to American Ashlyn Krueger, who recovered after losing the opening set to win 2 6 6 3 6 4.
Despite the loss, Preston is expected to climb to a new career high ranking of world number 126.
That rise improves her position ahead of Wimbledon qualifying where many Australian players will attempt to secure places in the main draw.
Hijikata falls in Birmingham Challenger event
Australian interest in Birmingham also extended to the men’s Challenger tournament where Rinky Hijikata produced another solid week.
Hijikata reached the quarter finals before losing to Britain’s Arthur Fery.
Fery had already eliminated Australian Alex Bolt earlier in the tournament and continued his strong run by defeating Hijikata 7 6 6 3.
The British player’s recent victories over Australian opponents have earned him an unwanted reputation among local fans.
For Hijikata, the run still provides valuable grass court matches as attention shifts toward Wimbledon qualifying and preparation events.
With grass season only beginning, several Australian players will now hope the change in surface delivers better fortunes than the challenges experienced during the clay campaign.