- Britain’s top-ranked woman is engaged to Alex de Minaur
- Reveals he might have learned an ‘Australian twang’
Katie Boulter enjoys life as an adopted daughter of Australia, although in Vegemite she sets limits.
The British No 1 has been dating Australian No 1 Alex de Minaur for five years and has enjoyed his enthusiastic support in Australia.
But Boulter feels her support has reached a new level since she and De Minaur announced their engagement in December.
“I feel like I’ve already felt a lot more love here, even more than last year,” the 28-year-old said.
‘Being in Sydney (for the United Cup), which is his hometown, where he was born, was the first time I played tennis there. Just going out on the court and listening to the crowd really helped me.
‘I felt at home and comfortable. I’m usually the type of person who doesn’t like going to new places. I felt very comfortable from the beginning when I was there and that was entirely due to them and how they treated me.
Boulter is pictured with her fiancée Alex de Minaur ahead of last month’s United Cup in Sydney, where she was delighted with the reaction she got from the home crowd.
Britain’s top-ranked woman says she has “felt a lot more love” in Australia since the couple revealed their engagement in December.
“It makes a big difference.”
De Minaur is often shown on his fiancee’s Instagram enjoying a pub lunch or a walk in the countryside, so has Boulter embraced Australian culture in return? Do you have any favorite local delicacies?
“Definitely not Vegemite,” she replied. ‘I don’t know about you guys, but I’m not sure that’s my thing. You can say TimTams, I love a TimTam.
‘I’m always picking up accents. I don’t know if I have an Australian touch here or there.
‘I just love the culture. I really enjoy coming here every year. Obviously being around someone like Alex, so hardworking. He loves his country, he lives and dies by his Davis Cup number. I think that has definitely rubbed off on me.
Boulter is pictured at Melbourne Park on Friday. His draw for the Australian Open has given him a good chance of advancing to the second week of the Grand Slam.
Boulter’s fiancée is ranked eighth in Melbourne and will try to become the first Australian to win the Australian Open men’s singles title since 1976.
‘I love coming to Australia. “It’s just a great place.”
With local support and a benevolent draw (she starts against world number 98 Rebecca Marino), this year’s Australian Open offers a great opportunity for Boulter to reach the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.
A deep run at a major seems the next natural progression for the 24th seed and Boulter admitted he is looking to prioritize big events more this year.
“My number one goal this year is to stay healthy,” he said. ‘The second priority is to increase the value I give to the Slams and the big tournaments. That’s something I hadn’t given full priority to before, I’ve tried to perform (at the Slams) but not reach my peak.
“Going into this year, I will learn more about what I should and shouldn’t do before Slams. Surely a little more emphasis is put on it.’