British tennis star Katie Boulter has opened up about her plans to marry fellow professional Alex de Minaur this year, while both athletes prepare to compete at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
European Wedding Plans Revealed
The couple, who have been together since 2020 and announced their engagement in December 2024, will tie the knot in Europe in the middle of this year. Boulter confirmed the location, adding to de Minaur's previous comments that the ceremony would not be held in the UK or Australia.
Boulter expressed profound admiration for her fiancé, stating: "He is amazing, he continues to impress me every day of my life." She highlighted how his career inspires her own, saying their nearly six-year relationship has been a source of motivation. "I feel like he's playing better and better every time I see him," she added.
Australian Open Campaigns and Mindset Shifts
As the tournament begins, their professional standings differ markedly. Boulter enters the competition unseeded, having recently fallen outside the world's top 100. She revealed she has been proactively contacting Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley via email and WhatsApp in an effort to regain her competitive form.
In contrast, Alex de Minaur is seeded sixth for his home Grand Slam. The Australian player is coming off a quarter-final appearance at Melbourne Park last year and has made a significant change in his approach. He admitted to previously obsessing over cracking the world's top five rankings, a focus he says consumed him.
"So I'm doing my best to kind of be a lot more chilled out about it. If it happens, it happens," de Minaur explained. His primary goal is to finish the year ranked higher than the last, whether that breakthrough comes during the Australian Open or later in the season.
Support and Ambition Down Under
De Minaur feels confident and supported heading into the first major of the year. "He feels the love and support from Australia and it definitely helps him," Boulter noted, expressing excitement for his campaign. "He was a quarter-finalist last year and he's a great chance."
With four consecutive appearances in the second week at the Australian Open and a quarter-final breakthrough in 2024, de Minaur is optimistic about his preparation for another title challenge. Both athletes now balance the personal joy of their impending wedding with the intense professional focus required for Grand Slam success.
