- Britain’s highest-ranking woman is engaged to Alex de Minaur
- Reveals she may have picked up an ‘Aussie twang’
Katie Boulter is enjoying life as an adopted daughter of Australia, even if she draws the line at Vegemite.
The British number 1 has been in a relationship with Australian number 1 Alex de Minaur for five years and enjoys the enthusiastic support from Down Under.
But Boulter feels her support has reached a new level since she and De Minaur announced their engagement in December.
“I feel like I’ve felt the love here so much more already, even more than last year,” the 28-year-old said.
“When I was in Sydney (for the United Cup), his hometown, where he was born, it was my first real time playing tennis there. Just walking onto the field and hearing the crowd in front of me really helped.
‘I felt very at home and at ease. Normally, I’m the kind of person who doesn’t like going to new places. I felt very comfortable from the start when I was there and that was entirely because of them and the way they treated me.
Boulter is pictured with fiancée Alex de Minaur ahead of last month’s United Cup in Sydney, where she was thrilled with the reaction she received from the local crowd
Britain’s top-ranked woman says she has ‘felt the love so much more’ in Australia since the couple revealed their engagement in December
‘It makes a world of difference.’
De Minaur is often pictured on his fiancée’s Instagram enjoying a pub lunch or a country walk. Has Boulter also embraced Australian culture in return? Does she have a favorite local delicacy?
“It’s definitely not Vegemite,” she replied. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure this is my thing. You can say TimTams, love a TimTam.
‘I always pick up accents. I don’t know if I have a bit of an Aussie touch here or there.
‘I just love the culture. I come here every year with great pleasure. Obviously being around someone like Alex, such a hard worker. He loves his country, lives and dies by his Davis Cup number. I think it definitely happened to me.
Boulter is pictured at Melbourne Park on Friday. Her draw for the Australian Open gives her a good chance to advance to the second week of the Grand Slam
Boulter’s fiancée is ranked eighth in Melbourne and will attempt to become the first Aussie to win the Australian Open men’s singles title since 1976
‘I like coming to Australia. It’s just a great place.’
With local support and a favorable draw – she starts against world number 98 Rebecca Marino – this year’s Australian Open offers a great opportunity for Boulter to reach the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.
A deep run at a major feels like the natural next progression for the No. 24 seed and Boulter admitted she wants to prioritize the big events more this year.
“My main goal this year is to stay healthy,” she said. ‘The second priority is to increase the value I attach to slams and major tournaments. That’s something I haven’t given full priority to before, I’ve tried to perform at (the Slams) but not peak at it.
“Going into this year, it will involve more of learning what to do and what not to do before the Slams. There’s definitely a bit more emphasis on it.’