De Minaur earns heavyweight win to start clay campaign

Alex de Minaur credited a few extra kilos to helping him to a 6-3, 6-0 sweep of former winner Stan Wawrinka in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday.

The 11th-ranked Australian said that adding a bit of muscle weight will help him in the clay game, the toughest test in tennis.

“Clay is more physical,” the winner said after his victory in 63 minutes. “There is a lot of strength involved.

“I’ve put on a few extra kilos and hope that helps me this season.”

Wawrainka, 39, won the title in the principality a decade ago when he beat compatriot Roger Federer in the final.

This season has been a disaster so far for the No. 79, who may have to make a decision on his career at the end of the year.

The Swiss finished with just four winners and nearly 30 unforced errors in a match delayed for two hours by rain.

De Minaur, based in Spain, has a career-best showing on clay of a Barcelona semi-final, a match he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in 2022.

He said that the quick win over Wawrinka was a good start to the spring clay season

“You don’t expect to play your best tennis in the first match on clay. But I stayed tough, stayed solid  and found my way into the match.

“I played better and better in these heavy conditions. It was hot and sunny last week during practice.

“But I’m happy to be through into the next round.”