Lleyton Hewitt’s shock call on Alex de Minaur amid crushing blow at hands of fiancee Katie Boulter
Lleyton Hewitt made a surprising call regarding Alex de Minaur after the Australian star faced a crushing blow during the United Cup, both on and off the court. The blow came at the hands of his fiancée, Katie Boulter, who, while playing for Great Britain, contributed to a significant victory over Australia. This result left de Minaur in a tough position, leading Hewitt, Australia’s United Cup captain and a former world No. 1, to make a bold decision.
Despite de Minaur’s strong individual performance, including a stunning win in his singles match, Australia’s overall result in the United Cup suffered due to Boulter and Great Britain’s success in the team event. De Minaur, known for his resilience and determination, found himself on the losing side, and Hewitt’s decision regarding his future role in the tournament took many by surprise.
Hewitt, who has long been a mentor to de Minaur, faced a tough choice: whether to rely on de Minaur for upcoming matches or to adjust the team strategy. After Australia’s defeat, there was speculation about how Hewitt would handle the situation. Instead of doubling down on de Minaur’s role, Hewitt made the shock call to potentially rest the Australian No. 1 for the remaining matches of the tournament, allowing other players to step up.
This decision was seen as both a vote of confidence in the rest of the team and an acknowledgment of the emotional and physical toll the tournament had taken on de Minaur. Facing his fiancée in a team event was already a unique challenge, and with Australia’s hopes hanging in the balance, Hewitt had to think strategically about how to move forward.
De Minaur’s relationship with Boulter, while a source of personal joy, added a layer of complexity to the United Cup. As professionals, they both focused on their respective teams, but the outcome created an unexpected dynamic that Hewitt had to navigate.
Ultimately, Hewitt’s call reflected his experience and understanding of team dynamics. While de Minaur remains a key figure for Australian tennis, this moment highlighted the challenges that come with balancing personal and professional life at the highest levels of the sport. How de Minaur rebounds from this will be a story to watch as the 2025 tennis season progresses.
