There was one moment in Alex de Minaur’s quarter-final loss to Carlos Alcaraz that highlighted the difference between the two players more than anything else.

With Alcaraz 3-1 up in the second set and on serve, the two entered into an epic rally. It wasn’t long, but it was tricky, and as de Minaur sent a forehand winner crosscourt, the Spaniard couldn’t help but laugh as he revelled in the performance rather than reeling at losing the point.

It’s easy to laugh off a point when you’re at 40-15 and on serve after already snatching a break in the set. It’s also easy to enjoy yourself on court when you’re 22, have already won six major titles, and can send an ace out wide on the next point to seal the game.

It’s not so easy if you’re a 26-year-old de Minaur, who is in his seventh grand slam quarter-final – having never qualified for the semi-finals – and facing a player he has never beaten before.

Alcaraz’s reaction highlights the fundamental difference between these two players. To borrow........

© The Age