Strangely, the Aussies are not known for playing well on home ground. But it seems like that could be changing this year, giving the home crowd something to cheer about.

Nick Kyrgios’ impressive victory in Brisbane makes him only the second Australian to win the Brisbane International (the first was Lleyton Hewitt in 2014). But it was not just this accomplishment that made this event a memorable one.

New Year, New Name, New Cheer

As a forehand sailed wide from Milos Raonic’s racket in the Pat Rafter Arena, a new name would win the hearts of Aussies and tennis fans alike. A shout of joy burst forth from his lungs as Alex De Minaur realized he had just toppled the fourth seed and defending champion.

Now, after an eventful run in Queensland, De Minaur heads to his home state -New South Wales- to conquer new heights and stars on the circuit. And he shows no signs of stopping.

Loud roars and cheers from the audience reverberated across Centre Court as De Minaur moved comfortably into the second round of the Sydney International, defeating Fernando Verdasco: an aggressive left-handed groundstroke player. De Minaur impressed the home crowd on Day Three with a stunning baseline defense matched with clean shots and well-angled winners, winning the match convincingly.

De Minaur continued raising the title hopes in his hometown of Sydney on Day Four, breezing into the Quarterfinals in under fifty minutes when seventh seed Damir Dzumhur retired trailing a set and 3-0 in the second. He displayed a much more devilish serve and groundstrokes, and agile movement around the court, stunning his opponent point after point.

“I’m just trying to ride this wave. I want to just keep going to keep going, play at the level I am playing, and [have] the focus I’m having on court.” the world number 167 told the Sydney crowds whom he credited for carrying him through the tournament so far.

In just two weeks, the feisty teenager stole the hearts and attention of the crowds and tennis circuit.

But he did more than that.

He ignited renewed hope and patriotism in the hearts of his countrymen.

Part of the Trend?

As De Minaur’s sizzling season continues to impress avid fans and experts alike, his wins did something else too: inspire confidence in upcoming youngsters dubbed as ‘Next Gen’.

Nick Kyrgios’ fairytale run at Wimbledon 2014, Denis Shapovalov’s, Alexander Zverev and Andrey Rublev’s stunning display of tennis during the hard-court season last year, Hyeong Chung’s impressive form at the Next Gen ATP Finals. Now, De Minaur joins a throng of upcoming tennis players that can challenge the top few in the world.

They are younger, fresher, and offer a different style of tennis on court with a different attitude too. Though controversial with their attitudes at times, they promise certainty and future for the sport.

The truth is, professional stars like the Big Four (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray) will continue to win the hearts of tennis fans. But they cannot be on the tour forever. And with more questions raised over the future of tennis, and whether it can be sustained, the Next Gen seem have an answer.

With more new names and faces to look out for at Melbourne, it will be surprising to see who will break through and serve up a few surprises, given that there is much greater unpredictability over who will win in the Men’s Draw. No one is really safe, not even Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal in their fine form last year.

Long Way

Still, De Minaur has a long way to go before cracking into the top ten, or even clinching his first Slam. But wins in Brisbane and Sydney will certainly be a confidence booster for his game.

“It helped me a lot with confidence,” said De Minaur, who said the wins helped his game as he “started to believe” in his abilities.

While De Minaur did not create shockwaves as intense as those by others like Nick Kyrgios did at the All England Cup in 2014, he would be a catalyst for another phase and possibly an era in tennis.

He carried on that momentum set by his fellow rising ATP stars in the past years, and raised a new hope and belief that they can soon take their place on the tennis circuit dominated by players that turned pro in the late 90s and early 2000s.

If De Minaur can continue his performance and raise his confidence further, he is definitely a force to be reckoned with in Melbourne.

Rod Laver Arena, brace yourself for an even greater storm whipping up in a couple of weeks.