
Alex De Minaur knew better than to wade into a brewing storm.
Just two hours after Iga Swiatek made an unforced error in declaring Sydney coffee superior to Melbourne mochas in her on-court interview on Rod Laver Arena, the World No. 8 showed judicious restraint when his allegiances were tested.
A proud Sydneysider, De Minaur was asked in his on-court interview with former Aussie pro John Millman what he would be doing on his day off Friday. After responding that he would be seeking out the city’s finest coffee, Millman ventured into dangerous territory by asking the the 25-year-old if Melbourne or Sydney had the better coffee.
“I better keep this amazing crowd on my side… there’s no better place for coffee than Australia,” a diplomatic De Minaur responded, drawing hearty laughs.
☕️☕️☕️
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
Better than @iga_swiatek's answer, @alexdeminaur, but it feels like the Melbourne Park crowd craves greater specificity!
Whose coffee is top of the pops? Melbourne or Sydney?#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/prHaiK8CTh
The crowd response was in contrast to the reception given to Swiatek, who declared Sydney had superior coffee in her on-court interview following her easy win two hours earlier over Slovak Rebecca Sramkova.
Asked by Jelena Dokic how Melbourne coffee compared to coffee in the rest of the world, the Pole said, “I’ve got to say, in Sydney I found better coffee shops".
After a frosty response from fans, Swiatek tried to undo the damage. “I am only drinking it before the match, so I didn’t do the right research. So, sorry for my answer.
“Overall I think in Australia, it’s hard to get wrong coffee; every coffee shop keeps a really great quality. And my order will always [have] flat white with oat milk.”
No. 8 in the PIF ATP Rankings, De Minaur defeated Tristan Boyer 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 and next faces a first-time Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Argentine No. 31 seed Francisco Cerundolo.