‘Heartbreaking’ scene with girlfriend after Alex de Minaur knocked out
A heartwrenching image of Aussie star Alex de Minaur being comforted by his girlfriend, fellow tennis player Katie Boulter, has emerged after his defeat.
After that, we could all do with a hug.
Australia’s singles hopes at the 2024 Australian Open have been dashed after Alex de Minaur lost in a five-set thriller to Russian world No. 5 Andrey Rublev.
The Aussie raised local hopes of a deep run at Melbourne Park after coming into the tournament with four straight wins over the likes of Taylor Fritz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Rublev and Carlos Alcaraz — four players who are still alive in the tournament.
But de Minaur met his match in the big hitting Russian, falling 6-4 6-7 6-7 6-3 6-0 in a wild four-hour and 14-minute thriller on Rod Laver Arena.
De Minaur was embraced by his girlfriend Katie Boulter in the player’s gym afterwards as the pair shared a hug in heartbreaking scenes.
Boulter, the British World No. 54 who was knocked out in the second round, rode every point of the match in Demon’s box and could barely watch at times — covering her face after countless thrilling rallies.
She could only laugh when de Minaur benefited from a lucky let cord in the third set tiebreak as the Aussie took a two sets to one lead.
The match was given the main billing of the Sunday matches with all the other singles matches essentially over by the time the pair got on court — and it lived up to the hype.
Neither man gave an inch, chasing every ball down with some balls kept alive that had absolutely no right to be kept in play.
“Maybe a couple of years ago, or even last year, I would be sitting here and maybe even happy with the result,” de Minaur said post-match.
“I am sitting here and I am absolutely devastated because I saw it as a great opportunity … in a match I believe I ultimately could have won, but it just slipped away.
“It’s not a match I thought I lost physically. It’s just like the racquet was taken out of my hand.”
The match could live on for de Minaur as a “what could have been” after he failed to break Rublev from the very opening game of the match, a game that could have set him up for the match.
De Minaur’s inability to break was ultimately the difference in the match, earning 16 break point opportunities, but only converting three.
Rublev, on the other hand, converted eight from 13 for the match.
“He ruins Alex de Minaur’s dream of reaching a quarterfinal here at Rod Laver Arena, with some of the best ball striking you will ever see,” Todd Woodbridge said summing up the match.
It’s a heartbreaking moment for the Aussie, who came into the tournament with the expectation of a nation on his shoulders after becoming the first Aussie man to crack the top 10 since Lleyton Hewitt in 2006.
And despite losing the final set 6-0 with the Russian battling cramp particularly after taking the second break at 4-0, 1987 Wimbledon champion and Aussie legend Pat Cash said there was not much de Minaur could do.
“It was a phenomenal final set from Andrey Rublev,” Cash said on the BBC.
“Alex de Minaur didn’t really do much wrong. It’s just that Rublev was so, so good.”
One heck of a match. @AndreyRublev97 has charged through the final set and with that broke Aussie hearts by defeating Alex De Minaur, the last local player, to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals 64 67 67 63 60 for the third time.
— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) January 21, 2024
Disappointing way to go out for Alex de Minaur, but he thoroughly dominated the match at times - just couldn't put it all together.
— Todd Davey (@ToddJDavey) January 21, 2024
You feel one day it'll fully click for him, and he'll consistently make it past the fourth round at the majors #AO24
That was an extremely entertaining match between De Minaur 🇦🇺 and Rublev.
— CarloLFC (@CarloPerkins4) January 21, 2024
Heartbreaking ending for the Australian, Rublev's powerful forehand really took control in the final set.
Very entertaining watch, Rublev ultimately moves on to the next round.#AustralianOpen#AO24
De Minaur should be so proud of his efforts !!!
— zoe (@__peachyyyy) January 21, 2024
Relentless tennis from both of these guys. Brutal level from Demon and Rublev. #ausopen
— John Millman (@johnhmillman) January 21, 2024
How’s this level!! @alexdeminaur@AndreyRublev97 🫨
— Thanasi Kokkinakis (@TKokkinakis) January 21, 2024
Speaking on court after the match, Rublev gave de Minaur huge raps for his performance.
“It is always tough to play against Alex,” he said.
We played a couple of times and all of them were dramatic. So I don’t know, he’s one of the fastest players, the way he moves with the legs, and takes the speed, it’s crazy.
“You could see it was super tough to play. Four hours, not enough to say that it’s super tough to play against him! So it’s just good to be in a quarterfinal and we’ll see what happens.”
Rublev moves onto the quarterfinal where he will play fourth seed Jannik Sinner, who had a straight sets win over 15th seed Karen Khachanov.
For de Minaur, the hits will keep coming as he will drop out of the top 10 to 11th after Australian Open after Taylor Fritz made his first Australian Open quarterfinal.
11pm – And we’re going to a fifth
De Minaur and Rublev can’t be split after four sets so now it’s winner-takes-all in the fifth.
Rublev broke twice in the fourth set, while de Minaur could only claw one back.
While it seemed a fairly routine set for the Russian, it wasn’t easy as both men have been chasing everything down.
“In my eyes, De Minaur is more energised than Rublev and let’s see if that is the difference in this one,” Jim Courier said in commentary.
10.24pm – de Minaur wins the third
Alex de Minaur has claimed the third set and is one away from booking a quarterfinal clash with No. 4 seed Jannik Sinner.
De Minaur claimed an early break in the third but Rublev got it back on serve when the Aussie was meant to be serving for the set.
It meant the pair had to go the long way, going to a tie-break, with de Minaur winning it at 7-4.
Nothing has come easy for the Aussie but Rublev once again got frustrated during the tie-break.
9.38pm – ‘Can’t believe’: Rublev imploding
Andrey Rublev is imploding before our very eyes on Rod Laver Arena with the Russian going from cool calm and collected throughout most of the opening two sets to screaming at himself in the third.
De Minaur opened a 3-0 with an early break in the third and although Rublev held his second service game to go 3-1, he was still fuming.
John McEnroe said the blow up was because he “can’t believe” he lost the second set tie-break, which is a good sign for de Minaur if Rublev can’t move past it.
9.15pm – ‘Shot of the tournament’ blows AO away
Alex de Minaur has levelled it up at one-set apiece, taking the second set tie-break in what has been a wild clash.
The pair’s fitness is truly insane as they are chasing down every single shot.
But it’s been a single point that has seemingly turned the match on its head as it completely changed the momentum.
With Rublev up 3-2 in the tie-break, a net cord saw de Minaur chase down the ball, hitting it around the net with too much power for the Russian to handle, skewing the ball wide despite the open court.
Aussie legend Lleyton Hewitt was stunned by the moment, claiming it could be decisive.
“It all really came down to one extraordinary point in the tie-break when Alex was able to fight it off there,” Hewitt said on Nine. “He pulled out the shot of the tournament around the net you really turn the tide in the tie-break there.”
“It’s in a match where one shot can turn everything around but it sure looks like that wraparound forehand was the shot,” John McEnroe agreed.
While it was one point that brought the pair level, it allowed frustration to creep into the match and de Minaur pounced, going up 5-3 before holding on to claim the tie-break 7-5.
This Rublev/De minaur match is crazy! Anyone watching?
— Kev (@ParlayKev) January 21, 2024
De Minaur, giving the Aussie’s life rnnn
— Tobi.G (@TGborigi_) January 21, 2024
Rublev has done next to nothing wrong but still finds the score level.
But de Minaur will be ruing not delivering the killer blow so far in the match.
In the second set to 4-all, de Minaur has had five break points, converting none of them, while he’s claimed just one from eight in the entire match.
Three times de Minaur has been 15-40 on Rublev’s serve but he hasn’t be able to find the killer blow.
“Alex can’t complain about not some chances,” Todd Woodbridge said on Nine.
Jim Courier agreed: “Eight break point chances and only been able to convert one. Some of those Rublev just played too well, and he’s had a couple that were, well they were in reach and he didn’t quite get them.”
But with the weight of a nation on his back, Courier added it wasn’t through lack of trying.
“One thing you don’t have to worry about Australia, he is giving his all. He is not leaving any stones unturned,” he said.
At least it’s back to even so if he can find the killer blow, it may just slay his opponent.
8.06pm – De Minaur blows golden first set opportunity
Aussie Alex de Minaur had the perfect chance to get off to a perfect start in his clash with Russia’s Andrey Rublev but finds himself a set down.
De Minaur had two break points in the opening service game but wasn’t able to convert, ultimately giving up a break of his own soon after.
While the Aussie was able to break back when down 4-2 to get it back on serve, the Russian broke again at 5-4 to wrap up the set.
“But for that missed volley at break point in the opening Rublev service game, Demon could be serving to close this set out rather than to stay in it,” Jim Courier said in commentary.
It’s a big if only now that the Demon has to come back from a set down.
Ultimately he couldn’t save it, giving away the break with a double fault.
There were swirling windy conditions in the first set and it seems to win, de Minaur’s going to need to make the most of the wind at his back.
7.30pm – 16-year-old’s campaign is over
Mirra Andreeva may have been knocked out of the Australian Open, but the youngster has already won over the crowd.
In her first Australian Open, the Russian teen was knocked out in the fourth round by ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova, but gave one hell of a fight.
Andreeva took it to three- winning the first set 6-4, before Krejcikova fought back to win the next two 6-3 6-2 and book her place in the quarterfinals.
It’s a day that has gone to the higher ranked players with Krejcikova joining No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka, No. 4 seed Coco Gauff and world No. 35, who defeated world No. 170 Maria Timofeeva in straight sets.
In the men’s, the biggest shock so far was 12 seed Taylor Fritz’s win over 7th seed and 2023 AO finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in four sets.
Otherwise top seed Novak Djokovic and fourth seed Jannik Sinner, who will play the winner of Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals, both cruised into the next round in straight sets.
5.14pm – ‘Don’t do it’: WAG’s gross act after AO stunner
America’s highest ranked man Taylor Fritz has moved into the quarterfinals, downing 2023 AO finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in a 7-6 5-7 6-3 6-3 win.
It’s the first time he’s made it to the quarters at the Australian Open, where it will get no easier as he comes up against Novak Djokovic.
But post match, the talk immediately turned to a bet his girlfriend Morgan Riddle promised should he get the win.
For the win, she promised via Instagram that she would eat a jar of Vegemite on Live if he won the match.
Luckily for her, they happened to have a 560g version of the product — likely she was meaning a 150g version.
Fans immediately advised her not to — and to be honest, she should have held out for him winning the whole thing before taking the Vegemite challenge.
One fan wrote: “Do not do this. I like marmite (the English one) and seriously a teaspoon covers two slices of toast.”
Fritz was undoubtedly pleased, saying he’d told his team he was going to win.
“My girlfriend thought I was too confident going into the match,” he said.
“This is a big jar but I’ll give it to her.”
Fritz promised to make sure he lived up to her side of the bet but wouldn’t join in himself.
“I won’t be partaking but I’ll make sure it happens,” Fritz said.
Asked if he’d tried it before, he said he: “wasn’t the biggest fan”.
3.35pm – Djoker marches on in commanding fashion
Whatever may have been ailing Novak Djokovic – and we know he keeps all his cards close to his chest – he was in ruthless form on Sunday.
A record-breaking performance looked on the cards when he marched to a 6-0 6-0 lead over outclassed Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.
Fortunately the 20th-seed avoided a disastrous ‘triple-bagel’, with Djokovic rounding off the third set 6-3 for a dominant victory in just 1 hour, 44 minutes.
Asked about his efforts afterwards, Djokovic said he was actually relieved when Mannarino got his first game on the board.
“The first two sets were some of the best sets I’ve played in a while,” the top seed said.
“I really wanted to lose that game in the third set, the tension was building up so much in the stadium, I needed to get that out of the way to refocus on what I needed to do to close out the match.”
Djokovic was also asked about the fact he was demoted to a daytime match for the first time since 2021, with Aussie Alex de Minaur handed the coveted 7pm slot for his quarter-final against Andrey Rublev on Sunday.
Djokovic’s response to the minor kerfuffle was about as cold and calculating as we’ve come to expect from the Serbian superstar.
“The way I played today, I don’t mind playing in the day, to be honest,” he fired back.
“Thank you, thank you guys for showing up also.
“I know it’s early in the day, but it’s Sunday, non-working day, thank you for showing up.
“It’s no secret I love to play at 7pm, but it wasn’t bad at all today. Not too bad.”
2.45pm – Djokovic in ‘distress’ amid pure domination
Novak is blowing his fourth round opponent Adrian Mannarino away on Rod Laver Arena, however commentators have spotted the world No. 1 is struggling physically as he battles illness.
The Serb has taken both sets without conceding a single game to his French rival, however commentators have heard him grunting during points.
“Djokovic is one of the most silent assassins we have seen in tennis. He doesn’t grunt until late in the match or if the point gets really long,” Jim Courier said.
“He is grunting until the last (stroke) on every point. He is without question physically wounded at the moment.
“He is sick. He told us he was sick five days before the tournament. Would have thought by now he would have healed up.
“Something is still not right inside his body because his energy levels are not what we are used to seeing.”
Commentator Brenton Speed said his fans would be concerned.
“Another double … That is about 10 or 15 metres away from our commentary position and Djokovic fans may be worried, he looks in real distress,” said Speed.
2.40pm – Second seed cruises through to quarters
Women’s second seed Aryna Sabalenka has made light work of American qualifier Amanda Anisimova to advance to the quarter-finals.
Sabalenka overpowered her opponent with a 6-3 6-2 victory on Margaret Court Arena – continuing her dominant form this year at Melbourne Park.
She’s yet to drop a set in her four matches.
2.30pm – Djokovic’s ruthless opening set
Novak Djokovic looks to be in scary form with the Serbian top seed taking his first set against Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-0.
Djokovic actually looked to have a challenge on his hands in the opening game as he had to save two break points against the skilful Frenchman.
However he never looked troubled from there as he quickly showed he’s on another level to his opponent.
Djokovic wanna have a quick day.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 21, 2024
Leads Mannarino 6-0.#AusOpenpic.twitter.com/YngqOIpW42
“This is an exercise in efficiency,” Jim Courier said in commentary.
It is a rare early outing on Rod Laver Arena for Djokovic who’s made his stance clear that he prefers night games at Melbourne Park.
1.40pm – Rain stops play at Melbourne Park
Play has been suspended due to rain in second seed Aryna Sabalenka’s fourth round match against Amanda Anisimova.
Sabalenka is currently up 4-1 in the first set as the players wait for the roof to be closed on Margaret Court Arena.
1.20pm – Teenage superstar powers into quarter-finals
American star Coco Guaff has demolished her fourth round opponent Magdalena Frech 6-1 6-2 in a 63-minute bloodbath to advance to the quarter-finals.
The 19-year-old paid credit to tennis legend Rod Laver after her dominant performance in the arena named after him.
“Luckily when I noticed he came I was up a lot, so I wasn’t too nervous,” Guaff said.
“You guys were clapping and I was like I know it’s not for us, it’s only the first set
“Then I saw the screen and I was like ‘oh it makes sense’.
“So really really thanks for coming to my match and it’s not only you, there’s lots of legends in the box so thank you all for coming.”
Laver is expected to be a regular face at the Australian Open for the final seven days of the tournament as it reaches its final stages.
12pm – Hewitt to make Aussie Open debut
Aussie tennis great Lleyton Hewitt has revealed he’s ‘unbelievably proud’ as his son Cruz prepares to make his Aussie Open debut on Sunday afternoon in the junior boys’ singles event.
Cruz gained entry to the tournament through a wildcard, and will take on sixth seed Alexander Razeghi later today.
“Just unbelievably proud, to be honest,” Lleyton Hewitt said on Channel 9.
“They asked me late last night if I would go out and warm him up this morning on Show Court 3. Just a really special moment.
“My first ever main draw match at the Australian Open was actually out on Show Court 3 as well.
“Just some great memories coming back of me playing here. He’s been around the traps, but he’s worked extremely hard to get this opportunity. He is playing well.
“He’s still very young. This is all a learning experience. That’s what the junior event is all about.
“You want to get the opportunity to play here in seniors one day. He’s been fortunate enough to get a wildcard and hopefully goes out, has a lot of fun.”
11am – Aussie star caught up in ‘concerning’ meltdown
Aussie star Storm Hunter came to the support of her distressed doubles partner Katarina Siniakova on Saturday during a ‘concerning’ incident in their doubles match against fellow Aussie pair Maddison Inglis and Destinee Aiava.
Siniakova lost her cool after double-faulting in the second set to hand a break back to her opponents.
The Czech star smashed her racquet before returning to her seat and yelling out at her team in her supporter’s box.
The clear emotional distress on her face led to some concern from Hunter and the commentators.
“There’s something going on isn’t there?” Abigail Johnson said in commentary.
“I think this is something deeper than a match.
“She’s been in tougher situations than this.
“It’s concerning to be honest because we don’t know these players as people … anything could be happening off the court and we have no idea.”
Siniakova soon recovered with the help of Hunter and the pair went on to win the match in three sets.
10.45am – Djokovic opponent doesn’t know who he’s playing
Novak Djokovic is the heavy favourite to make it through to the quarterfinals against Adrian Mannarino, who apparently doesn’t even know he’s playing the Serbian champion.
John Millman explained on Nine: “Adrian Mannarino doesn’t know who he’s playing. He does not check the draw ahead of time.
“Tries to keep it a secret. Really tough left-handed player though.”
Djokovic, who prefers the evening conditions at Rod Laver Arena, will play his first day session match since 2021.
10.30am – Laver wants more from Demon
Australian tennis legend Rod Laver has touched down in Melbourne and has given his predictions for the tournament.
Laver believes Novak Djokovic is timing his run to perfection and is still the man to beat despite dropping some sets in his early rounds.
“It is almost to me like he’s priming himself to get through to the final. He’ll lose a set somewhere in these five-setters and I’m thinking ‘Is he having us on’ because he could win this in two and two and two (6-2 6-2 6-2).
“He serves well, his groundstrokes are unbeatable so I have to believe unless someone miraculously plays their best tennis to knock him off, they can start putting part of his initials on the trophy now.”
While Laver believes Djokovic will be almost impossible to beat, he declared now is time for Alex de Minaur to make a major breakthrough.
“Alex de Minaur is a great player,” Laver said.
“He should be doing more than he’s doing because he’s got a great game.
“But there’s 10 or 15 players who are so talented now that there’s no easy matches.
“Alex is tough, but also all the other players have improved and the competition is getting so much bigger now.”
John Millman believes the home crowd advantage could give de Minaur the edge over Rublev, who he has beaten before.
“It is worth the win,” Millman said on Nine.
“I honestly the way he plays and the energy that Alex uses from that crowd, it lifts him another couple of levels.”
Australian Open Day 8 schedule of play
Rod Laver Arena
Magdalena Frech (POL) vs. [4] Coco Gauff (USA) — 12pm
[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. [20] Adrian Mannarino (FRA) — not before 1.30pm
[10] Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs. [5] Andrey Rublev — 7pm
Margaret Court Arena
Amanda Anisimova (USA) vs. [2] Aryna Sabalenka — not before 1pm
[4] Jannik Sinner (ITA) vs. [15] Karen Khachanov — not before 4pm
John Cain Arena
Mirra Andreeva vs. [9] Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) — 4pm
More Coverage
[12] Taylor Fritz (USA) vs. [7] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)
KIA Arena
Marta Kostyuk (UKR) vs. [Q] Maria Timofeeva
Tennis stars hit out: ‘Stop ruining the sport’
A massive rule change will get its first exposure in Australian tennis tournaments this summer, but it won’t be popular with all players.
Read more
Big tennis change coming to Aussie comps
A massive rule change will get its first exposure in Australian tennis tournaments this summer, but it won’t be popular with all players.
Read more
Cup draw sets up couple showdown
Alex de Minaur will be pitted against his girlfriend for the second year in a row at an important Australian Open warm-up event.
Read more