Alex de Minaur has confirmed he'll once again use the Brisbane International as a springboard for an assault on the Australian Open.
The Sydney-born teenager will return to the Queensland capital after kickstarting his breakout 2018 season by reaching the last four in Brisbane before falling to American Ryan Harrison.
"That's how I'm going to be starting my season," the 19-year-old said in an online video while in London for the ATP University program.
"I've had some great memories there (in Brisbane). I played some incredible tennis and I think it's the best way for me to start."
De Minaur stunned former world No.3 Milos Raonic on Pat Rafter Arena in January on his way to making his first ATP Tour semi-final and banking 90 ranking points.
Another fast start in Brisbane and Sydney, where he finished runner-up to Russian Daniil Medvedev, may be essential for the youngster retaining enough points to achieve a grand slam seeding for the first time in his career at Melbourne Park.
The world No.31 is yet to formally commit to the Sydney International, which gets underway the same day as the men's final in Brisbane on January 6.
Australian Associated Press
