Katie Boulter reveals unique way she learned about fiance Alex de Minaur's Australian Open 1R win

Alex de Minaur comfortably saw off the challenge of highly-touted Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp at the Australian Open and then spoke about his engagement to British ace Katie Boulter. Boulter was playing on the nearby Kia Arena, and Minaur was keen to take his seat to cheer her on.

Australian No. 1 and 8th seed de Minaur's 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 victory sets up a second-round match with Grand Slam debutant and qualifier Tristan Boyer. De Minaur will be favored to progress in a tournament where he's never got past the fourth round. After the match, however, his thoughts turned to his newly-engaged partner Boulter:

"2024 was a special year. It ended in the best possible way. I'm very happy that happened. But saying that...she's playing right now. So I better get out there and watch."

Boulter was engaged in a titanic first-round struggle with Rebecca Marino, but eventually prevailed in a difficult match, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. 28-year-old Boulter, the British No. 1 and WTA ranked No. 25, has reached the Australian Open second round for the third time. She's never managed to progress beyond that stage.

The couple were rivals at the United Cup at the end of 2024, where Australia faced Great Britain, which is when they announced their engagement on social media. Boulter posted a picture in which she sported an engagement ring, accompanied by the words: "We've been keeping a small secret..."

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Katie Boulter knew that fiancee Alex De Minaur had won his match when he showed up to watch

TENNIS: JAN 14 Australian Open - Source: Getty

25-year-old De Minaur will be looking to improve on his showings in Melbourne - he's reached the fourth round each of the last three years - and even better his best career Grand Slam effort of a quarter-final in each of the other three Majors. The local boy is currently ATP world-ranked eighth but has been as high as sixth.

After her match and noticing fiancee De Minaur in the stands, Boulter said that she had heard the roar of the crowd from the Margaret Court Arena and assumed he had come through:

"I'm guessing he won," she said to a huge cheer from the crowd. I kind of figured if he lost, he might not be sat there, so I went with the win, and I heard a massive roar, so I figured that was an Aussie win. So yeah, I'm so happy to see him through."

Boulter, the 22nd seed, meets Russian Veronika Kudermetova in the second round.