Katie Boulter has been named the Women’s British Tennis Player of the Year, capping off an incredible year alongside her fiancé, Alex de Minaur, who recently endured a tough exit at the Australian Open. Boulter was a constant presence in de Minaur’s player box during his run to the quarter-finals, where he faced World No.1 and eventual champion Jannik Sinner. De Minaur was defeated in straight sets as Sinner delivered a dominant performance, with commentator Jim Courier noting Boulter’s absence from the stands, as she had already left Australia to focus on her own tennis schedule.
De Minaur, clearly deflated after the loss, admitted he would take a short break after the challenging Grand Slam. However, the couple had something to celebrate, as Boulter was awarded the prestigious LTA 2025 Women’s Player of the Year honor.
Boulter ended the 2024 season as the British No.1 after securing her first singles title in San Diego. She followed that success with a victory on home soil in Nottingham, where she triumphed over Emma Raducanu. Additionally, Boulter played a key role in leading Britain to the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals. Jack Draper, who defeated de Minaur at the US Open, claimed the men’s singles award.
Despite her stellar 2024 season, Boulter struggled to carry that momentum into the 2025 Australian Open, where she was knocked out in the round of 64. This early exit allowed her to spend more time with de Minaur, though she left before his quarter-final match to prepare for the upcoming Doha Open.
Laura Robson explained during Eurosport’s coverage, “Unfortunately Katie isn’t here. She left because she needs to prepare for Doha, but I’m sure she’s watching on TV.”
After the loss to Sinner, de Minaur was understandably downbeat, stating it felt like being “slapped across the face.” Sinner, who also beat Alexander Zverev in the final, holds a 10-0 record against the Australian, which de Minaur acknowledged as his most difficult match-up. However, he remained optimistic about his future, believing he could still contend for a Grand Slam title.
“It’s tough after this defeat, but I believe there are opportunities. Tennis is about match-ups, and I think Jannik is my worst on tour. But if I land in a different section of the draw, who knows? I believe I can achieve more than just quarter-finals in a Slam. If others have gone further, why not me?”
