American Marconi Wireless News - Melbourne home hope De Minaur 'not just making up the numbers'

The Australian is at a career-high ranking, but rankled by his failure to go beyond the last eight at a major.

He made a solid start to his latest bid in Melbourne with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win over American Mackenzie McDonald in the first round.

"I'm not just making up the numbers now," he said after setting up a second-round clash with Serbia's Hamad Medjedovic.

"It's about me taking that next step and believing in my abilities, and that's going to be the only thing that's going to allow me to ultimately take that next step."

De Minaur must overcome huge home pressure to do so, with intense focus on how he fares and his relationship with fiance and fellow player Katie Boulter.

Despite the expectations De Minaur, 26, said he was learning to not be so tough on himself and appreciate what he had already achieved.

"I don't really reward myself too much or too often," he said.

"You go through the whole process and you kind of forget where you came from and how pumped that little kid who seven, eight years old and dreaming of getting into the top 10 would be with the position that I am right now.

"So over the years, I have tried to do my best to take a step back every now and again, give myself a pat on the back, and enjoy the moment."

M.A.Colin--AMWN