In an already-storied career, Alex de Minaur has achieved another milestone, becoming the seventh Australian to hold an ATP top-five ranking.
The world No.5 joins John Newcombe, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Pat Cash, Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt in the exclusive group, further solidifying himself as an Australian great.
It comes after a consistent 12 months at tour level, including two ATP titles.
Following his fourth-round berth at Wimbledon 2025 where he stole a set off Novak Djokovic, De Minaur arrived at the Washington Open prepared to start a new chapter.
"I've got the experience now. I've got the knowledge, the physicality side of things. Everything is just there for me to go out and perform," De Minaur told atptour.com at the Washington Open in July 2025.
"I can really have a swing these next three or four years and really show that I'm at my peak and break through some barriers.
"I'm ready to go deep into tournaments. It's just up to myself to put those results right.”
The response was immediate, with the Australian claiming the ATP-500 level Washington crown. De Minaur saved three championship points against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to win his 10th ATP singles title, his first in 13 months.
> READ: De Minaur overcomes demons to win 10th ATP title
The 27-year-old would reach the quarterfinals in six of his last seven tournaments for 2025, qualifying for his second-straight ATP Finals campaign.
Following his semifinals berth at the year-end finals, De Minaur was adamant he was capable of bigger achievements, forecasting an even stronger 2026 season.
“I still think that I've got more to give. I haven't hit my peak just yet,” he said.
“To take the next step, it's just being fresh, not putting as much pressure on myself and ultimately stepping up in the bigger tournaments.
“That's what it's going to take for me to jump from where I've been the last two years to potentially be in the top five and pushing for bigger and better things.”
This year, De Minaur’s consistency has elevated him to new heights, with the 27-year-old becoming an all-surface threat. He has reached semifinals on each surface for the first time in four years.
Winning 11 of his first 13 matches in 2026, the Australian No.1 won his 12th ATP singles title in Rotterdam in February, elevating him from world No.8 to No.6.
> MORE: De Minaur triumphs in Rotterdam
Seven wins in the claycourt swing kept him within reaching distance, before a second-consecutive appearance in the Wimbledon fourth round saw De Minaur rise to world No.5.
With the North American summer swing underway, De Minaur hopes to maximise his time inside the top five on a favourable surface.
The New South Welshman accumulated 43 ATP hardcourt victories in 2025, the most of any player. Paired with his hardcourt form to begin the season, De Minaur’s ranking could rise even higher.