Alex de Minaur in stunning form as he faces ‘tough situation’ with fiancee Katie Boulter

Alex de Minaur is confident his injury problems are behind him and feels he is in the best form he has ever been in ahead of the Australian Open.

The world number 9 recaptured his fluid best during the first United Cup round in Sydney, putting in an impressive performance to beat Argentine Tomas Etcheverry 6-1 6-4 at the Ken Rosewall Arena.

De Minaur was plagued during his breakout 2024 season by a hip injury suffered during his Wimbledon run in July.

The 25-year-old had risen as high as world number 6 after reaching the second week of every slam, including the quarter-finals of the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.

Australia’s No. 1 continued to be hampered by the troublesome hip while playing in the Davis Cup in November, but he now feels the worst is over on his return to Australia.

“It’s definitely the best I’ve felt since Wimbledon,” de Minaur said on Saturday.

DeMinaur and fiancée Katie Boulter could face off in the United Cup later this week

‘Very happy with how the body moves, how it feels.

“It took a long time, but it now feels in the best shape it’s been in a long, long time.”

De Minaur is set to enjoy a rich run of form heading into next month’s AO after becoming the only Australian to record a victory over Argentina in their first United Cup match.

He put in a clinical performance against Etcheverry, claiming the first set inside 28 minutes on his way to equalizing after teammate Olivia Gadecki lost 6-2 6-4 to Nadia Podoroska in the women’s singles.

‘I was extremely satisfied with my (performance) level. Because it’s the first game of the new season, you never know what to expect,” De Minaur said.

“Tommy, he’s a good opponent, a very tough opponent, so I was happy with the way I performed today, from start to finish.

‘It’s a very special pitch and one I enjoy playing on, so I was very happy to be able to play the match today.’

Argentina secured the 2-1 win thanks to a strong performance from Etcheverry and Maria Carle against Matt Ebden and Ellen Perez, the South American duo claiming a 6-2 6-4 result.

The couple announced on Instagram that they were engaged last Monday

Boulter admitted she was “not happy” with the idea of ​​hiring her new fiancé

Australia, captained by Lleyton Hewitt, return to the court on New Year’s Day when they take on a British side including Billy Harris and de Minaur’s fiancée Katie Boulter.

De Minaur told Daily Express the couple were in a “difficult situation” with the draw looming, saying he would rather play with her than against her.

Boulter wasn’t thrilled about the prospect either.

“I wouldn’t say I was happy with the idea of ​​playing against him again,” Boulter told Eurosport.

“He’s a top 10 player and he knows how to play tennis, so there’s one side to it. Then there’s the personal side of it, which is hard, but also great for bragging rights.

‘I’m obviously looking forward to the match and I think it will be a great atmosphere.

“Playing Australia will always be fun. It’s a new opportunity for us. We will definitely be the underdogs, so let’s keep the pressure on them.”

It is not the first time they have faced each other at the tournament, with both of them present in Great Britain and Australia during the 2024 edition of the tournament, with Boulter and Cameron Norrie taking victory for Team GB.

The pair met off-court in doubles last January, with Storm Hunter and Matt Ebden beating Boulter and Neal Skupski at the RAC Arena in Perth.

De Minaur added: ‘It’s surreal. It’s a whole year later and here we are again – almost the same opponents.

‘It’s getting interesting again. Hopefully we can play good tennis.

“It’s not my ideal, but it’s the luck of the draw.”