“I was more looking forward to a big year. I felt like I had prepared myself for it and was really looking forward to it. I started off the year really well then unfortunately went, in my eyes, downhill from there,” said de Minaur from quarantine in Melbourne, fresh off his fourth ATP title, the Antalya Open in Turkey, to start the new season.

Australia’s highest ranked men’s player sought help with his mental approach after the French Open, where he exited in the first round shortly after going deep into the second week at Flushing Meadows. He needed assistance to process the new reality for tennis players: quarantine, bubbles and coronavirus safety measures.

“I wasn’t really happy on court,” de Minaur said.

“It got to the point last year which I felt like I had to change that, and had to have a look at myself in the mirror, and obviously put in the work with my psychologist.

“I feel like after the French Open I was able step back and kind of focus on what I needed to do.

“I believe this year will be different ... it’s definitely looking like COVID will be around for a while, but I feel like I’m definitely ready for any adversity that comes.

“We put in the necessary work so it doesn’t take us by surprise now. I feel like it’s a different ball game. I can focus on playing tennis and being happy on the court.”

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De Minaur is unlike most of his Australian colleagues right now who have unlimited time on the practice court: he’s in the final stages of his mandatory 14 days of hotel quarantine after flying in on one of the chartered planes for the Australian Open.

Fortunately, he’s one of the players who was able to retain the opportunity for a daily five-hour window for training – something he’s not taking for granted. But he knows the reward in a few days will be even greater.

“Victorians and basically Australia have been in such strict rules,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to finishing off my quarantine here and being able to live a normal life, which is probably going to be the only time in the year which I’ll be able to live a normal life and that’s because Australia, you know, is so safe.”

He’ll especially enjoy some of the everyday luxuries that could easily be forgotten.

“One of the biggest things will be going out or a stroll and getting a coffee, anywhere sitting down, being able to enjoy the fresh air and not feel constrained about what we can and cannot do,” he said.

“I love Melbourne. Every time I come here I love staying the same area, I love staying in South Yarra. I’ve got my coffee places, my breakfast places, and it’s just easy. I’m really looking forward to that.”

De Minaur will feature in a jam-packed schedule of events at Melbourne Park next week as the country’s No.1 singles player at the ATP Cup. First-up on Tuesday will be a tough assignment against Spain, led by Rafael Nadal.

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Their last head-to-head, their fourth meeting overall, came in the ATP Cup semis a year ago when the Australian won the first set, but Nadal went on to close out the match with authority.

De Minaur said “you’ve got to keep your level” against a player such as Nadal.

“He’s one of those guys that if you just drop concentration just a tiny bit, he’s going to be all over you.

“He doesn’t give a lot of free points.

“It’s a lot of pressure but I’m looking forward to it.”