Daily Times

Australia’s Alex De Minaur said he is ready to fulfil his Olympic dream after shaking off a hip injury that cut short his Wimbledon campaign and threatened his participation at the Paris Games.

The world number six pulled out of his Wimbledon quarter-final against Novak Djokovic earlier this month after sustaining a cartilage tear in his hip in the closing stages of his fourth-round win over Arthur Fils.

De Minaur was unable to play at the Tokyo Games three years ago after contracting COVID and the hip injury sparked fears he might miss another Olympics but the Sydneysider said on social media on Monday he was ready to compete again.

“To finally be able to represent Australia in the Olympics is a dream come true,” De Minaur said. “I’m very passionate when I play for my country and wear the green and gold, so this is another one of those moments.

“I’m extremely excited to lace up for Paris 2024.” De Minaur spearheads an Australian team that also includes Alexei Popyrin, Ellen Perez, Matthew Ebden, John Peers, Olivia Gadecki, Ajla Tomljanovic, Daria Saville and Rinky Hijikata. The Olympic tennis event will be held on the clay courts of Roland Garros from July 27-August 4.