“It was the best news I’ve got in a long, long time” – Alex de Minaur jokes qualifying for ATP Final was better than getting engaged to Katie Boulter
“Better Than the Ring?” – Alex de Minaur’s Cheeky Turin Quip Lights Up the Internet
Alex de Minaur, still buzzing from clinching his second straight Nitto ATP Finals berth with a 6-2, 6-2 demolition of Karen Khachanov in Paris on October 30, 2025, delivered a post-match interview gem that had fans in stitches — and fiancée Katie Boulter playfully rolling her eyes from afar.
When asked how the qualification news ranked among life’s big moments, the 26-year-old Aussie grinned and deadpanned:
**“It was the best news I’ve got in a long, long time… definitely up there with getting engaged to Katie.”**
The on-court interviewer burst out laughing. De Minaur quickly backpedaled with a wink:
**“Don’t tell her I said that! She’ll kill me. But seriously — this one’s for her. She’s been through a tough week in Hong Kong. This is our win.”**
The clip exploded across social media within minutes, racking up over 1.2 million views on ATP’s official channels. Fans dubbed it “the most dangerous joke in tennis,” while one viral X post quipped: *“Alex de Minaur just qualified for Turin AND the doghouse.”*
Katie Boulter’s Savage (But Loving) Response
Boulter, recovering from her tearful retirement in Hong Kong due to a lower-body injury, didn’t let the comment slide. From her hotel room, she reposted the interview on Instagram Stories with a red heart-eyes emoji and the caption:
**“Best news in a long time, huh? 😏 Good luck sleeping tonight, Demon. Turin’s yours… but the couch is mine.”**
She followed it up with a laughing-crying emoji and a photo of her engagement ring, captioned: **“Still wins. 💍”**
The couple’s banter — a hallmark of their five-year relationship — has long been a fan favorite. They got engaged in December 2024 during a sunrise beach proposal in Australia, with de Minaur later joking he “practiced the speech more than his serve.” This latest exchange? Peak #BoulMinaur.
#### Why the Joke Landed So Well
– **Timing**: De Minaur’s qualification came just 48 hours after Boulter’s emotional exit in Hong Kong, making his lighthearted jab a perfect tension-breaker.
– **History**: The couple has a track record of roasting each other publicly — Boulter once trolled de Minaur after he lost a bet and had to wear a Manchester United jersey (he’s a die-hard City fan).
– **Authenticity**: De Minaur’s genuine shock at qualifying (“That’s actually confirmed?!”) made the humor feel spontaneous, not scripted.
The Bigger Picture: A Power Couple on the Rise
De Minaur’s Turin spot — as the seventh qualifier alongside Sinner, Alcaraz, Zverev, Djokovic, Fritz, and Shelton — caps a career-best season with 55 wins, a Washington 500 title, and his 300th tour-level victory. He’s the first Aussie with back-to-back Finals appearances since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002-03.
Next up: a Paris Masters quarterfinal against Alexander Bublik on November 1, where he’ll aim to avenge a five-set French Open loss. A deep run could push him into the top 5 for the first time.
As for Boulter? She’s targeting a return for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Málaga (November 13–20). And yes — de Minaur has already promised to “make it up to her” with a post-Turin holiday.
**Moral of the story**: Qualify for the ATP Finals. *Then* joke about it being better than your engagement.
Just make sure Katie’s not holding the racquet. 😅
