Katie Boulter’s glaring absence from Alex de Minaur’s box as Australian Open dream dashed

Alex de Minaur’s partner Katie Boulter was nowhere to be seen on Wednesday night as the Aussie was easily dispatched by Jannik Sinner.

As Alex de Minaur looked to his supporters box desperate for some help as he was wiped off the court by Jannik Sinner, one face was glaringly absent, that of his fiancee Katie Boulter.

De Minaur was blown away in a masterclass from world No. 1 Sinner on Wednesday night, with the Italian dominating 6-3 6-2 6-1.

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It also took the 25-year-old’s career record against Sinner to 0-10 as his Australian Open dream was crushed.

And while Boulter could have done nothing more than provide support to the struggling Aussie tennis star if she was in attendance at Melbourne Park, her absence was felt.

Alex de Minaur was blown away in straight sets by Jannik Sinner. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP)

Throughout de Minaur’s Aussie Open campaign Boulter sat in his court-side box, with the Aussie on several occasions giving a fist pump or a nod to his fiancee in the stands.

However, for his quarter-final clash, the Brit was absent as she decided to fly back to the UK to prepare for her next tournament in Doha.

Boulter’s absence was mentioned during the quarter-final match, with Channel 9 commentator Jim Courier joking he hoped her plane didn’t have Wi-Fi so she couldn’t check the scores.

Todd Woodbridge pointed out during the second set: “Boulter isn’t there this evening, she flew out today off to her next tournament. You have to keep playing so she is not in the crowd.”

Courier then replied: “I hope her plane has Wi-Fi to keep track of the score, although at this stage it might be better if she doesn’t.”

Katie Boulter was absent from Alex de Minaur's Australian Open quarterfinal against Jannik Sinner. Image: Getty

Boulter hinted that she’d left the land down under earlier on Wednesday when she posted on Instagram: “Thank you Aussie for making me feel like I’m at home” alongside a plane emoji.

Boulter had been by de Minaur’s side all tournament but after her campaign ended with a loss in the second round, her attention turned to her next tournament, such is the life of a travelling tennis player.

Her partner de Minaur will also now have to go back to the drawing board after being comprehensively beaten by the world No.1.

It was the furthest the Aussie had ever gone at his home grand slam but he never looked in the contest as he was dominated from the outset.

However, post-match de Minaur said he still believes he can make the necessary improvements to challenge for a grand slam in the future.

“It’s pretty tough right now for me to sit here after this defeat and tell you that I believe I can go all the way,” de Minaur said after his loss on Wednesday night.

“But saying that, I do think that there are opportunities out there. Tennis is so much about match-ups, right? Yeah, I think right now my worst matchup on tour is probably Jannik. You know, there’s a head-to-head that doesn’t lie.

“If I’m on a different side of the draw, different little section, then who knows? I genuinely think I’m going to give myself opportunities, and I don’t think my peak is making the quarter-finals in a slam. I see other players that have made it further have made semis, have made finals, and I do believe that I can be among them. If they have been able to accomplish that, then why not me?”

The Aussie star also fired back at a passionate and often negative social media tennis fan who wrote: “Alex de Minaur has zero self-belief that he can even compete with Sinner let alone beat him. Awful performance from him.”

Demon hit back: “Hey mate it’s a shame that you never became a good enough player to experience playing Jannik. I’m sure you would’ve put up a better performance and know exactly how to beat him. Wishing you all the best!!!”

Originally published as Katie Boulter’s glaring absence from Alex de Minaur’s box as Australian Open dream dashed