Alex de Minaur wants to bulk up after the lightweight Australian was muscled out of the French Open’s second round.
The 20-year-old’s resistance lasted less than two hours against clay court supremo Pablo Carreno Busta on Wednesday in a 6-3 6-1 6-1 loss that de Minaur says will bring plenty of reflection.
The Spaniard, a one-time quarter-finalist at Roland Garros, won the first nine points of the contest and had an answer for everything de Minaur tried after that.
De Minaur is still forecast to rise to a career-high 23 though after ending a five-match losing streak in the first round.
And, weighing in at just 69kg according to the ATP, the ambitious talent is already thinking about returning bigger and stronger next year.
“I do feel like I’ve got the game to play on clay,” he said.
“The great thing about it all is there is a lot of improvement to be done … there’s a huge gap.
“It probably would be a good thing if I bulk up a little, but that’s all in the plan.
“A lot will change, hopefully no more injuries, a stronger body and I’ll become a little bit of a clay-courter.”
Looking across the net might’ve been like peaking into the future for de Minaur.
“You can just tell by looking at both of us,” said de Minaur of the physical differences between him and the 27-year-old Spaniard.
However, having started last year outside the world’s 200, the Australian isn’t disheartened.
“I’ve always known that I’m never going to be the tallest or biggest guy but I’ve been able to accomplish amazing things with what I’ve got.
“Now it’s time to keep improving, keep finding ways to play my game style and be more effective on clay.”
Confident he has shaken a nagging groin injury, de Minaur will contest an ATP 250 event in the Netherlands before Queens and Wimbledon in June and July.