Alex de Minaur has fired back after Katie Boulter playfully vowed to ditch their mixed doubles duo following a flop at the Eisenhower Cup. The tennis golden couple paired up for the Tie Break Tens exhibition, a fast-paced showdown of first-to-10-point tiebreaks.
The Aussie-Brit tandem crashed out in the first round, prompting Boulter to jest she’d never team up with her fiancé again. De Minaur now admits the world No. 38 was “not too happy” with his showing but hopes to win her back for their next gig.
Among eight high-profile pairs at Tuesday’s Eisenhower Cup, De Minaur (ATP No. 10) and Britain’s top woman had previously linked up for Wimbledon mixed doubles and eyed a US Open run this year. But a dismal Indian Wells outing—falling to last year’s champs Ben Shelton and Emma Navarro—has thrown a wrench in their plans.
Post-loss, Boulter wasn’t shy about her frustration. Asked about their mixed doubles future, she quipped it was their “second and last” outing together. De Minaur, in turn, owned up to his subpar play, telling Sky Sports, “I couldn’t tell if she was serious! We’ll see if the US Open’s still on. She wasn’t thrilled—I botched too many volleys, wasn’t a great partner. She always props me up. I’ve got to step it up.”
Whether Boulter softens and rejoins him courtside remains up in the air. For now, she’s zeroed in on her injury comeback. Sidelined since a second-round Australian Open exit nearly two months ago, the British No. 1 missed Doha and Dubai WTA 1000s with a foot issue. She’s back this week at Indian Wells, seeded 25th with a second-round bye, facing either Irina-Camelia Begu or Ann Li.
De Minaur, cheering her return, said, “Like she mentioned, it’s about perspective. Coming off injury’s tough—she’s itching to compete. I’m just glad she’s back.” He’s seeded No. 9 in the men’s draw, also with a bye, awaiting the David Goffin-Lorenzo Sonego winner.
