Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter announced their engagement on Monday, but in a couple of weeks they could face each other on the tennis court.
The couple smiled as they surprised their followers on Instagram on Monday by announcing that they had been “keeping it a secret” that the 25-year-old Australian tennis star had popped the question.
It has been a whirlwind year for both players who have enjoyed great success on both the ATP and WTA Tours, with the tennis power couple claiming two titles each, while De Minaur also claimed the Ultimate Tennis Championship in December.
But the pair will face off once again as Australia and Great Britain were drawn in the same group for the United Cup, which begins on December 27.
Great Britain and Australia will meet on the final day of the round robin, and there is a good chance that Boulter, 28, and De Minaur could meet in the mixed doubles event, following the singles ties.
“I wouldn’t say I’m excited about playing against him again,” Boulter told Eurosport.
Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur took to Instagram to announce that they were engaged on Monday.
On Tuesday, Boulter shared photos of her and De Minaur as they walked along the coast after their engagement.
But tennis’ power couple could go head to head at next week’s United Cup.
‘He’s a top 10 player and he knows how to play tennis, so there’s a side. Then there’s the personal side, which is difficult but also great to show off.
“I’m looking forward to the game, of course, and I think there will be a great atmosphere.”
‘Playing against Australia will always be fun. It’s another opportunity for us. “We are definitely going to be the underdogs, so let’s put pressure on them.”
It is not the first time they have been on opposite sides in the tournament, as both were present in the Great Britain and Australia teams for the 2024 version of the tournament, in which Boulter and Cameron Norrie claimed victory for Team GB.
The pair did not meet on court in last January’s doubles event, with Storm Hunter and Matt Ebden beating Boulter and Neal Skupski at the RAC Arena in Perth.
This year, Boulter will face Olivia Gadecki in the women’s singles clash, before De Minaur takes on Jack Draper in the men’s event.
De Minaur added: “It’s surreal. A year has passed and here we are again, almost the same opponents.
‘It’s going to be interesting once again. Hopefully we can play good tennis.
Boulter admitted she was “not excited” about facing her new fiancé next week.
Australia and Great Britain met in the 2024 United Cup but De Minaur and Boulter did not meet in mixed doubles
“It’s not my ideal, but it’s a matter of luck.”
Many members of the sports world took to Instagram on Monday to congratulate the couple on their engagement, including British star Emma Raducanu and Australian player Thanasi Kokkinakis, who joked that it was “about time.”
Boulter and De Minaur are well known for supporting each other every time they take the field. Notably, the Australian raced around Roland Garros after his first-round win at this year’s French Open against Alex Michelsen to watch Boulter in her night match against Paula Badosa.
While both will look to seal victory for their national teams next week, Boulter said they both enjoy a healthy rivalry.
“We took it very well,” he said of the rivalry.
‘We like to joke with each other, and I think we handle it that way and not any other way.
‘We know we support each other. It is a very important start to everyone’s years and we will always do everything we can for our country.
“At the end of the day, we’re still going to go home and be together and get through it together.”
The pair have been training together in Australia this week ahead of the Australian summer.
They are regularly seen at tournaments supporting each other, and Boulter spoke about the touching advice her fiancé gave her after she crashed at Wimbledon this year.
He added that while they enjoy a healthy rivalry, he said bragging rights were at stake.
Boulter added: “I don’t think he’s going to be there cheering me on, but people may surprise you…” he said, smiling. ‘But hey, you never know.
“Obviously, I’m always supporting him. I support what he does. In that game, it’s a unique situation, something I’m not used to.
“We’ll try to handle it as best we can and I’ll be supporting him from the sidelines for the rest of the year, so we’ll see what happens.”
While the pair will quickly turn their attention back to the Australian Open in late January, Boulter said there will be plenty of bragging rights on the line.
‘I’ve seen the atmosphere this creates for him and I know how much he loves this court. “He tells me all the time that it’s his court,” she said.
“So if we can beat the Aussies, it will be my court.”