De Minaur launches his Australian Open title quest on Tuesday against big-hitting Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp and is seeded to make the quarter-finals for the first time.
He could strike world No.1 Jannik Sinner in the quarters after landing in the world No.1's top section of the draw.
Dutchman Botic Van De Zandschulp presents a strong first-round challenge for Alex de Minaur. (AP PHOTO)
Australia's world No.8 has lost all nine previous encounters with Sinner, the last six in straight sets.
But after surging to the last eight of the past three grand slams, a feat last achieved by an Australian 20 years ago, Rafter believes de Minaur has never been better placed to embark on a title charge.
"Top-10 player, he's playing great tennis. He's at a pretty good age right now," Rafter told AAP.
"He's played a lot of tennis, he knows the game well - people know his game but they also respect him a lot so he's got a lot to offer.
"And one thing I love about Alex is that he gives himself the best opportunity every time he steps on the court. He's just the ultimate professional.
"So I expect great competitive matches from Alex and I hope he does really well and that the draw opens up for him because, to me, he gives himself the best opportunity to go deep in tournaments because he's always there.
"He's always a tough presence on the court."
Like de Minaur last year, Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt reached the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open quarter-finals in 2004 before he captivated the nation with a stirring run to the 2005 Australian Open title decider.
Rafter's fellow former world No.1 and dual Australian Open winner John Newcombe likes the way de Minaur is starting to attack more.
"He's taking it to his opponents by moving to the net, not just playing from the baseline and that's really helped him," Newcombe told AAP.
Despite his galling record against Sinner, "Newk" maintains de Minaur can challenge him if he cranks his serve up a notch.
John Newcombe believes a 5-10 per cent lift in Alex de Minaur's serve can make the difference. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
"I don't know whether he's got a hold. He (Sinner) is a stronger, better player at this stage," he said.
"If Alex could improve his serve five or 10 per cent, he'd be very, very competitive.
"He (de Minaur) has got stronger physically and that's helped him.
"He can certainly go very deep in the tournament."
De Minaur, against a danger man who ousted Carlos Alcaraz from the US Open in September, is among six locals in action on day three.
World No.25 Alexei Popyrin plays Frenchman Corentin Moutet in his first slam as a seed, while Rinky Hijikata meets American Mitchell Krueger.
Alexei Popyrin is seeded in a grand slam tournament for the first time. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
Teenage prodigy Emerson Jones headlines the women's action against sixth-seeded 2023 Open finalist Elena Rybakina.New Aussie women's No.1 Kim Birrell faces Anna Kalinskaya after successfully qualifying, with Olivia Gadecki also taking on a Russian in Veronika Kudermetova.
AUSSIES IN ACTION ON DAY THREE OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN ON TUESDAY:-
Men's singles, first round:
8-Alex de Minaur v Botic van de Zandschulp (NED)
25-Alexei Popyrin v Corentin Moutet (FRA)
Rinky Hijikata v Mitchell Krueger (USA)
Women's singles, first round:
Olivia Gadecki v Veronika Kudermetova (RUS)
Kim Birrell v Anna Kalinskaya (RUS)
Emerson Jones v 6-Elena Rybakina (KAZ)
33°C