Dec 08, 2025
Australia’s Alex de Minaur etched his name deeper into UTS Tour history this weekend, becoming the first player to win the Victorian Plumbing UTS London Grand Final twice in a row at Copper Box Arena.
The 25-year-old, who affectionately calls London his “second home,” defeated Norway’s Casper Ruud 3-1 (11–15, 15–10, 15–11, 16–7) in a high-octane final that showcased his command of UTS’s fast-paced format.
The 25-year-old, who affectionately calls London his “second home,” defeated Norway’s Casper Ruud 3-1 (11–15, 15–10, 15–11, 16–7) in a high-octane final that showcased his command of UTS’s fast-paced format.
De Minaur arrived on court with renewed determination after a round-robin loss to Andrey Rublev on Saturday. His resurgence was evident in Sunday’s semi-final, where he swept past France’s Ugo Humbert 3-0 (15–13, 18–13, 18–9) before producing an even stronger performance in the final.
With both semi-finals and the final staged on the same day - a signature of UTS’s Final Four format - De Minaur’s stamina and sharpness proved decisive. His aggressive, low-skidding shots frustrated Ruud, who admitted his opponent’s style was “amazing” and perfectly suited to the Copper Box Arena conditions.
The victory earned De Minaur $640,000 USD (£480,637), including a bonus for committing to an additional UTS event in 2025. Ruud collected $225,000 USD (£168,995) as runner-up from a total prize pool exceeding $1.6 million USD.
De Minaur’s popularity with the London crowd was unmistakable throughout the three-day event. Engaged to British player Katie Boulter and a frequent London resident, he embraced the local support. “It was a perfect Sunday,” he said. “I felt like, as the days went on, I played better and better and I found my level.”
UTS founder Patrick Mouratoglou praised De Minaur as “the best player ever in this format, for now,” and celebrated a milestone year for the tour, which expanded across Latin America, Asia, and Europe.
Stay tuned for when you can next catch UTS in London!