Advertisement

Girlfriend's declaration about Alex de Minaur after wins at Wimbledon

Alex de Minaur is on the pathway to grand slam success, his girlfriend and British tennis star Katie Boulter believes. Picture: Instagram/katiecboulter
Alex de Minaur is on the pathway to grand slam success, his girlfriend and British tennis star Katie Boulter believes. Picture: Instagram/katiecboulter

British tennis player Katie Boulter has declared her boyfriend, Australian star Alex de Minaur, is destined for grand slam success after the pair won their respective first round matches at Wimbledon.

Both are through to the second round after Boulter proved too good for France's Clara Burel, while De Minaur overcame a last-minute switch to Court 1 to defeat Hugo Dellien in straight sets.

STUNNING: Jelena Dokic's brave move for Wimbledon after sad revelation

SAY WHAT: Nick Kyrgios shredded over claim in Wimbledon interview

After his match in the afternoon, De Minaur made his way to court 18 to watch Boulter's match, an effort the 25-year-old was appreciative of.

De Minaur, the World No.27, needs to get past British hopeful Jack Draper in order to set up a third round clash with Argentinian star Davd Schwartzman.

After some promising results in the first half of 2022, Boulter tipped the 23-year-old's rise through the rankings would only continue.

"I mean, he's got the game for it. We've seen him play many incredible matches against top players. He can beat them," she said.

"Ultimately, those are the matches that are going to give him the spotlight.

"I know the work he puts in will give it to him."

Boulter, who has battled injury throughout 2022, said De Minaur's work ethic was a major inspiration.

She paid tribute to the Aussie star in further heartwarming comments after her first round victory.

"Yeah, he's a pretty good boyfriend. He made it out to court!" Boulter said.

"He's someone I have a lot of admiration for on and off the tennis court.

"He is the epitome of a fighter, who goes out and gives their all every single day. That's what I aspire to be like. It really helps me because I can push myself; he helps me do that.

"I'm a very lucky girl."

"He is probably one of the hardest-working guys out there.

"I'm very lucky to be in the position I am, that I get to see it day in, day out. I have so much respect for what he does."

Alex De Minaur's Wimbledon draw opens up after Covid-19 withdrawals

De Minaur certainly looked in good nick after being left flummoxed in late morning when his match against Bolivian Dellien was switched from Court 18 to No.1 as organisers needed a new high-profile match there following Matteo Berrettini's withdrawal with COVID-19.

It was de Minaur's first match back on Wimbledon's 'second stage' since 2016 when he'd lost to Denis Shapovalov in the boys' final - but this was a 6-1 6-3 7-5 redemptive winning return.

"Kind of a weird day. You wake up, come prepared for one thing and then all of a sudden you're moved to Court 1, so there was a little bit of adapting needed on a windy, swirly day," de Minaur said.

"But you always want to play on the bigger courts, and it was good to get out there - special court, full crowd, quite exciting..."

Alex de Minaur cruised through his first round matchup at Wimbledon, earning the praise of his girlfriend, British tennis star Katie Boulter. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Alex de Minaur cruised through his first round matchup at Wimbledon, earning the praise of his girlfriend, British tennis star Katie Boulter. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Then, after booking a place against British hope Jack Draper, in the second round, it was off to cheer Boulter - and it was obvious de Minaur's admiration for her tennis, as well as her fighting spirit after overcoming injuries, is quite mutual.

"She's had a lot of injuries, a lot of time off but I think she's back where she belongs," he said.

"She's had an incredible season, beaten a lot of top girls so I think now she's got Wimby here, her home slam, hopefully she can go out, enjoy herself and keep doing as well as she's been doing - and I'll try to get out there to watch her!"

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.