Alex de Minaur’s partner Katie Boulter is caught up in the Australian Open circus

Australian Open expectations are the highest ever for Alex de Minaur and his girlfriend isn’t immune to the hype.

Katie Boulter and alex de Minaur at Wimbledon (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

There is a growing “circus” developing around world No.10 Alex de Minaur as expectations grow ahead of the Australian Open and it’s even enveloped his girlfriend Katie Boulter who is managing her own tournament hopes.

Having taken down world No.1 Novak Djokovic in Perth among a swag of recent big scalps there’s growing hope that de Minaur, the highest-ranked Aussie male in the field at Melbourne Park, could go deep into the opening grand slam of the year.

No Australian man has won the Open since Mark Edmondson in 1976 and de Minaur is arguably the most hyped player at Melbourne Park.

Boulter, ranked 57 im the world herself and coming off a United Cup victory over Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic, said even walking down the street with de Minaur had changed as his star status increased and both were now dealing with the new scenario.

“It’s really hard to describe. I mean, I can’t walk down the street with him separately. I feel like I’m sharing him with everyone, which isn’t a bad thing,” she said.

“I think it’s definitely been fun to be a part of because it’s been a little bit of a circus, but a good circus.

Instagram photo of Alex de Minaur and girlfriend Katie Boulter.

“I think it’s awesome that he’s getting the attention that he really does deserve. He’s put the work in for it. He’s playing some of the best tennis of his life.

“It really does fill me with a lot of pride to actually watch him at this moment because I know everything that he’s been through, how hard and how strong he is with everything he does.

“It’s been a pleasure to watch and be a part of it at the same time. I’ll continue to support him with everything that he does, no matter the good and the bad.”

Amid the expectation, Boulter said de Minaur had created a ”positive environment” around their camp, which was impacting his playing and set him up well for a big run in Melbourne.

“Definitely it’s a lot. But he’s handled it a lot of his career and he knows how to deal with it. I’m right there next to him,” she said .

“I feel like we’ve set up a very positive environment. I think it’s showing right now. Of course, there’s going to be a little bit of an ebb and flow where sometimes we’re doing great, sometimes we’re not.

Alex de Minaur practising at Melbourne Park . (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

“I think he’s really rubbed off on me in so many different ways: the way he holds himself, the way he works. Having his expertise on the side, it’s great for me because it’s a support. It’s someone that I can talk to about anything, including everything to do with my career.

“I don’t want to speak for him ‘cause I know he can talk for himself, but he’s playing some great tennis going into this year. I’m sure he expects himself to come out and fight and do everything he’s done for his whole entire career. We’ll see what happens. The results will take care of themselves.

“Either way, he’s had an incredible start to the year already. I’m sure the rest of the year’s going to be even better.”