Alex de Minaur’s ‘difficult decision’ ahead of Wimbledon after ‘weird’ training moment with Katie Boulter
World No. 7 Alex de Minaur faces a tough call on whether to play mixed doubles with fiancée Katie Boulter at Wimbledon 2025, starting June 30, following a “weird” training moment at the Queen’s Club Championships. On June 12, 2025, Boulter, competing in singles and doubles at Queen’s, described the surreal experience of De Minaur watching from her player’s box during her 6-7, 6-1, 6-4 win over Ajla Tomljanovic, a role reversal from her usual support for him at the ATP event, per Express. She called it “weird,” noting, “I’ve watched him here for years… It’s the epitome of British life,” per Express.
The Decision at Hand
Boulter’s hint at Queen’s—“You never know… we haven’t ruled out [mixed doubles],” per Yardbarker—has fueled speculation about a Wimbledon pairing. The couple, engaged since December 2024, played mixed doubles at Wimbledon 2023, reaching the second round before losing 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 to Joran Vliegen and Xu Yifan, per Yardbarker. However, De Minaur’s 2024 hip injury, which forced his Wimbledon quarter-final withdrawal against Novak Djokovic and sidelined him for the Olympics, raises concerns about the physical toll of additional matches, per ABC News. With two ATP titles and a career-high No. 6 ranking in 2024, De Minaur prioritizes singles, where he’s a top contender, per Daily Mail. Boulter, aiming for the WTA top 20, also faces pressure, compounded by a back injury from Queen’s doubles with Emma Raducanu, per Yardbarker.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Playing mixed doubles could strengthen their “power couple” brand, as seen in 2023 when De Minaur’s shout-out to Boulter went viral, per Tatler. Boulter called their 2023 stint “fun,” saying it brought out “the best in each other,” per Daily Mail. Yet, the limited ranking points and risk of fatigue, especially with De Minaur’s injury history, make singles the safer focus, per Express. Their competitive practice sessions, described as “very competitive” by Boulter in December 2024, per Express, suggest doubles could be intense but rewarding. The 2025 United Cup, where Australia and Great Britain are grouped, offers a potential doubles test, though Boulter jokingly warned, “We’ll see if we’re still together,” per Express.
Outlook
De Minaur’s Queen’s absence, opting for Wimbledon prep, contrasts with Boulter’s ongoing Queen’s campaign against Diana Shnaider, per Yardbarker. X posts, like @tennis365com, hype their potential pairing, but fans like @TennisFanatic12 urge caution, citing De Minaur’s health, per. The decision remains open, balancing personal joy against professional demands, with their “weird” Queen’s moment highlighting their unique dynamic.
