Love is more than a mere tennis term for Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur, who recently announced their engagement. The British tennis player and her Australian counterpart shared the joyful news via Instagram on Monday, Dec. 23, captioning a delightful selfie with, “We’ve been keeping a small secret… 🤭.”
In the accompanying photo, Boulter can be seen beaming next to de Minaur, her left hand elegantly showcasing a stunning emerald-cut diamond ring on a delicate band. Well-wishes poured in from followers, with the official Australian Open account chiming in with, “Thrilled for you both 🥹 Congrats!”
Numerous professional tennis players, including Thanasi Kokkinakis, Anna Kalinskaya, Paula Badosa, Victoria Azarenka, Zeynep Sönmez, Rinky Hijikata, and Emma Raducanu, expressed their excitement for the couple in the comments section.
Having both made their Olympics debut this year, Boulter, 28, and de Minaur, 25, first crossed paths on the tennis circuit and have been in a relationship for over four years. The couple’s competitive future could see them facing off at the upcoming United Cup in Australia, as Great Britain and Australia find themselves in the same group for the tournament scheduled from Dec. 27 to Jan. 5 at the RAC Arena in Perth and the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre.
The United Cup features two singles matches and a mixed doubles tie in each fixture, potentially leading to a scenario where the newly engaged Boulter and de Minaur might play against each other if selected for the doubles event.
Before publicly sharing news of her engagement, Boulter, who is ranked No. 24 in women’s singles and holds the British No. 1 title, discussed the prospect of competing against her partner. She acknowledged the challenge of facing De Minaur, currently ranked world No. 9, on the court, highlighting the blend of professional and personal dynamics such a match would entail.
Reflecting on their past successes, the couple previously reached the second round of the mixed doubles at Wimbledon last year. Presently, Boulter and De Minaur are celebrating the holiday season at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, alongside British tennis player Jodie Burrage.
The couple’s engagement marks a significant milestone in their relationship, which has blossomed amidst their shared passion for tennis. As they embark on this new chapter together, friends, fans, and fellow athletes eagerly anticipate witnessing their continued success both on and off the court.
