Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur delivered a touching response when asked about his fiancée, Katie Boulter, following their controversial exclusion from the revamped 2025 US Open mixed doubles event. Despite the disappointment of missing out on a wildcard, de Minaur’s comments highlighted the strength of their relationship and Boulter’s unwavering support during his impressive run to the US Open quarterfinals, which ended on September 3, 2025.
The US Open Mixed Doubles Snub
De Minaur and Boulter, one of tennis’s most beloved power couples, had publicly campaigned for a wildcard entry into the US Open’s new-look mixed doubles tournament, held during Fan Week (August 19-20, 2025) with a $1 million prize pot. The event, featuring top singles players like Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu, and Jannik Sinner, prioritized combined singles rankings for eight teams, with six wildcards and two spots still open at the time of selection. De Minaur, ranked world No. 8, and Boulter, ranked No. 48, made a playful plea on social media, with de Minaur tweeting, “Katie and I would like to ask for a WC pretty pretty please 🙏😢” after his Citi Open win in July 2025.[](https://www.essentiallysports.com/atp-wta-tennis-news-alex-de-minaur-makes-special-request-to-us-open-over-major-snub-with-fiance-katie-boulter/)[](https://www.profootballnetwork.com/tennis/did-alex-de-minaurs-fiancee-katie-boulter-compete-at-the-us-open/)
However, the US Open organizers overlooked the engaged couple, awarding the final wildcards to pairs like Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka, and Raducanu and Alcaraz. The decision sparked debate, with doubles specialists like Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani calling the revamped format a “pseudo-exhibition” that sidelined traditional doubles players. De Minaur and Boulter, who last played mixed doubles together at Wimbledon 2023, were left disappointed but shifted focus to their singles campaigns.[]
De Minaur’s “Special” Response
Following his US Open fourth-round win over Daniel Altmaier (6-7(9-7), 6-3, 6-4, 2-0 ret.) on August 31, 2025, de Minaur was asked about Boulter’s support, especially after their mixed doubles snub. The 26-year-old Aussie offered a heartfelt tribute, praising Boulter’s role in his success. “Katie’s always there for me, no matter what,” he said. “She’s my rock, my biggest supporter, and it means the world to have her by my side, especially after the disappointment of not playing mixed doubles together. We wanted to share that moment, but she’s been incredible in keeping me grounded and pushing me forward.”
De Minaur’s comments underscored the strength of their bond, which began in March 2020 during a chance hotel encounter and blossomed into an engagement announced on December 23, 2024. Boulter, who suffered a first-round singles loss to Marta Kostyuk (6-4, 6-4) and a second-round women’s doubles exit at the US Open, remained a constant presence in de Minaur’s corner, cheering him through his fifth career fourth-round appearance at Flushing Meadows.
A Strong US Open Run, But Serving Woes Persist
De Minaur’s US Open campaign showcased his resilience, with straight-set wins over Christopher O’Connell and Shintaro Mochizuki, followed by Altmaier’s retirement due to injury. However, his quarterfinal loss to Felix Auger-Aliassime (6-4, 7-6(5), 6-3) on September 3, 2025, highlighted ongoing serving struggles, with a 54% first-serve percentage and only 38% of second-serve points won. Reflecting on the defeat, de Minaur noted, “My serve let me down a little bit in the big matches,” a weakness he’s addressing ahead of the Davis Cup.
Despite the loss, de Minaur’s performance earned praise, and his focus quickly shifted to the Davis Cup qualifier against Belgium in Sydney, starting September 10, 2025, which he called the “funnest” time of the year.
Boulter’s Support and Their Shared Journey
Boulter, Britain’s No. 2, has been a pillar of support for de Minaur, both on and off the court. The couple’s synchronized success in 2024—winning titles on the same day in March (Acapulco for de Minaur, San Diego for Boulter) and June (Libema Open for de Minaur, Nottingham for Boulter)—has made them a fan favorite. Boulter’s own US Open campaign was cut short, but her presence in New York, including her women’s doubles run with Sonay Kartal, showed her commitment to the sport despite a challenging summer marked by a four-match losing streak.
De Minaur’s “special” response also reflected their mutual growth. Boulter has credited de Minaur’s professionalism and temperament as inspirations, saying in 2023, “He’s the most down-to-earth person I’ve ever met… He’s my best example of what I want to be.” De Minaur, in turn, has called Boulter his “happy place,” emphasizing how their relationship helps him navigate the highs and lows of professional tennis.[]
Looking Ahead: Davis Cup and Beyond
As de Minaur prepares to lead Australia against Belgium in Sydney, he’s focused on improving his serve to avoid future letdowns. The Davis Cup tie, Australia’s first home match since 2022, offers a chance to secure a spot in the November 2025 Finals in Bologna, Italy. With teammates Alexei Popyrin, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Max Purcell, and Matt Ebden, and under Lleyton Hewitt’s captaincy, de Minaur is favored to shine, especially against a Belgian team led by David Goffin.
For Boulter, the focus shifts to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen (September 16-21, 2025), where she’ll represent Britain. The couple’s shared disappointment over the US Open snub has only strengthened their resolve, with plans for a 2026 wedding hinting at a future where they’ll continue to support each other. De Minaur’s heartfelt words in New York—“Katie’s my rock”—reaffirm their bond, proving that even without a mixed doubles appearance, their partnership remains a winning one.[]
