Alex de Minaur Stands Up for Hannah Green Amid Fierce Backlash Over Her HSBC Women’s World Championship Victory
Melbourne, Australia – March 2, 2026. In a heartfelt display of solidarity, world No. 10 tennis star Alex de Minaur has publicly defended fellow Australian athlete Hannah Green after the 29-year-old golfer faced intense online criticism following her emotional triumph at the 2026 HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore.
Green, who claimed her seventh LPGA Tour title and second victory at the event (repeat winner after 2024), was heavily criticised by sections of fans and commentators for what they described as an “excessive individual celebration” and for “failing to acknowledge the Australian team” during her post-victory speech. Critics pointed out that she did not mention Minjee Lee (who finished T3) or other Australian golfers in the field, accusing her of “forgetting team spirit” and turning a national achievement into a purely personal moment.
The backlash quickly escalated on social media, with some posts calling her “self-centred” and questioning her leadership within the Australian contingent. The comments stung especially hard given Green’s long journey: she had endured a winless 2025 season, battled form slumps, and carried the emotional weight of representing Australia on the global stage.
Enter Alex de Minaur.
The Australian tennis No. 1, fresh off a strong showing at Indian Wells preparations, took to Instagram Stories to deliver a powerful, emotional rebuke to the critics. In a post that has since gone viral, de Minaur wrote:
“How can it be so cruel as to abandon, criticize, and crush the spirit of a woman who is only 29 years old — someone who has devoted nearly her entire life to elevating Australian women’s golf, while enduring relentless pressure from the media, social networks, and an unforgiving competitive system?”
The words struck a chord instantly. Within minutes, thousands of fans reposted the message, adding their own support with the hashtags #StandWithHannah and #AussiePride. De Minaur followed up in a brief interview during Indian Wells practice, saying:
“I saw the comments and it broke my heart. Hannah just won one of the biggest events on tour, brought huge pride to our country, and instead of celebrating her, people are tearing her down over a few words she didn’t say in the heat of the moment? That’s not who we are as Australians. We lift each other up. She’s fought through so much — injuries, doubt, pressure — and she deserves nothing but respect and love right now.”
Hannah Green, visibly moved by the support, responded publicly on her Instagram account shortly after. Fighting back tears in a short video, she said:
“Alex… thank you. I’ve been crying all day — not because of the hate, but because someone like you stood up when I felt so small. I never meant to disrespect anyone. I was overwhelmed, emotional, and just trying to process what happened. Minjee, all the Aussie girls — you’re my sisters. Thank you for reminding me we’re a family. I love you all.”
The exchange quickly became one of the most talked-about moments in Australian sport this year. Fellow athletes rallied behind both stars: Thanasi Kokkinakis reposted de Minaur’s message with a fist emoji, Ajla Tomljanović wrote “Proud of you both 🇦🇺”, and even Storm Hunter shared a simple heart. The wave of support turned the narrative from division to unity, with many praising de Minaur’s courage to speak out for a fellow athlete in a different sport.
Green later posted a throwback photo with Minjee Lee and other Australian golfers, captioning it: “We’re stronger together. Thank you for the love and for the reminder. I’ll carry this with me forever.”
The incident has also sparked broader discussion about the intense scrutiny female athletes face, particularly when they achieve success. Many commentators noted that similar oversights in victory speeches by male athletes rarely attract the same level of vitriol.
For now, both Green and de Minaur continue their respective campaigns — Hannah preparing for the upcoming Blue Bay LPGA, and Alex competing at Indian Wells — but their brief but powerful alliance has reminded Australia (and the world) that true team spirit isn’t about words spoken on a podium; it’s about standing up for one another when it matters most.
In the end, a single Instagram Story from one of Australia’s biggest stars helped turn tears of hurt into tears of gratitude — and proved that sometimes, the strongest defence isn’t a backhand or a birdie, but a few honest, protective words from a friend in the spotlight. 🇦🇺
In the end, a single Instagram Story from one of Australia’s biggest stars helped turn tears of hurt into tears of gratitude — and proved that sometimes, the strongest defence isn’t a backhand or a birdie, but a few honest, protective words from a friend in the spotlight. 🇦🇺
