Alex de Minaur Battles Brutal Heat to Win Wimbledon Opener in Straight Sets
It might have been a straight-sets win, but don't let the scoreboard fool you—Alex de Minaur had to dig deep under scorching conditions to secure his place in the second round of Wimbledon 2025. Facing Spain’s Roberto Carballés Baena on what became the hottest ever opening day in Wimbledon history, de Minaur’s 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) victory was anything but routine.
As temperatures soared past 32°C in London—well above the July average—the Aussie was clearly feeling the heat from the very first point. But despite the stifling conditions, de Minaur came out swinging. He stormed through the opening set, grabbing a double break early. However, closing it out wasn’t without drama. What looked like a comfortable finish at 40-15 turned tense as Baena fought back to deuce, even gaining advantage twice before de Minaur finally sealed the set. Both players returned to their benches drenched, with de Minaur immediately stripping off his shirt and grabbing an ice towel—evidence that this was no ordinary Wimbledon afternoon.
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The second set was far more straightforward. De Minaur maintained his momentum and composure, closing it out with the same 6-2 scoreline. Commentator Brenton Speed summed it up perfectly, calling it a "comprehensive set" from the 26-year-old Aussie.
But Baena wasn’t done yet. In the third set, the Spaniard pushed back hard, notching four games and even breaking de Minaur to love when the Aussie was serving for the match at 5-4. Jelena Dokic noted the sun’s direct glare was clearly messing with de Minaur’s serve, forcing him to adjust his toss and technique just to get the ball in play. With Baena leading 6-5, there was even a short delay after a ball kid needed to be replaced due to heat exhaustion—a stark reminder of how brutal the conditions were.
Still, when it mattered most, de Minaur responded. He steadied himself, forced a tiebreak, and then turned on the afterburners, winning it 7-2. It was a gutsy finish under severe pressure—both from his opponent and the weather.
“He was pushed in the third but great to get it done in straight sets, especially with the heat ... a great way to go into the next round,” Dokic said after the match.
In a tournament known for its poise and tradition, Monday’s match was a battle of pure endurance. For Alex de Minaur, it’s not just a win—it’s a statement. He’s here to fight, no matter how high the mercury climbs.
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