**Alex de Minaur Joins Forces with Carlos Alcaraz in Rome as Katie Boulter Suffers New Setback**
In an unexpected twist at the 2025 Italian Open, Alex de Minaur made a rare move by training with world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz ahead of his third-round match, a strategic decision that highlights his ambition to elevate his clay-court game. Meanwhile, his girlfriend, Katie Boulter, faced a fresh setback with an early exit in Rome, compounding her challenging season.
De Minaur, the Australian No. 1 and world No. 8, was spotted practicing with Alcaraz on May 10 at the Foro Italico, a departure from his usual preparation routine. The session, reported by Tennis.com, focused on high-intensity rallies, with De Minaur absorbing Alcaraz’s aggressive baseline play to sharpen his own movement and defense on clay. “It was great to get some hits with Carlos. He’s one of the best on this surface,” De Minaur said, per The First Serve. The collaboration paid dividends as he overcame a disruptive crowd incident to defeat Italy’s Luca Nardi 6-4, 7-5 in the second round, advancing to face Hugo Dellien. De Minaur’s clay form, bolstered by his 2024 Barcelona win over Rafael Nadal, suggests he’s peaking at the right time, with a 12-5 record on the surface this year.
Conversely, Boulter, Britain’s top female player, endured another disappointment, falling 6-4, 6-2 to Maria Sakkari in the second round on May 9. The loss, her fourth in six tournaments since her San Diego title in February, dropped her season record to 15-10. Boulter struggled with Sakkari’s power, converting only one of five break points, per Tennis Tonic. “It’s tough to find rhythm right now,” she admitted, citing fatigue from a packed schedule. Posts on X, like @TennisInsight, noted her visible frustration, raising concerns about her French Open preparation.
While De Minaur’s partnership with Alcaraz signals his intent to challenge for a deep Rome run, Boulter’s latest defeat underscores her need for rest and recalibration. As De Minaur eyes a potential fourth-round clash with Alcaraz, Boulter must regroup to regain her early-season spark.
