Alex de Minaur romance with Katie Boulter flipped on its head before Aussie Open

Aussie tennis gun Alex de Minaur has divulged an eye-opening detail about the storm surrounding girlfriend Katie Boulter.

Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter. Photo: Instagram, @alexdeminaur.

Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter have been here before.

An explosion of public interest in the private lives of tennis’ golden couple has become a “circus” — Boulter divulged on Friday ahead of the Australian Open.

However, the Aussie star has shared one eye-opening detail to show the storm won’t unsettle him as he carries the hopes of a nation that hasn’t had a men’s singles champion since 1976.

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This is not de Minaur’s first grand slam where he has been followed by paparazzi, but his role has been flipped on its head — having become the centre of attention during the 2023 Wimbledon championships as the partner of top-ranked British player Boulter at her home slam.

“It was definitely odd,” De Minaur told The Guardian.

“It was my first time ever being followed by paparazzi. That’s something I wasn’t expecting, to the point that they found out where we were staying, and they were waiting for us the following morning. That, for me, was incredible to experience, it is something I never thought was possible. And that’s all because of Katie.”

Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter. Photo: Instagram, @alexdeminaur.

Katie Boulter speaks with Alex de Minaur Photo during their Wimbledon’s mixed doubles match. Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP.

The Australian heads into the Melbourne Park event as the most talked about player in his home country coming off the back of a giant-killing summer that has included the scalps of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev.

De Minaur last week became the first Australian man to crack the top ten on the ATP Tour rankings since Lleyton Hewitt in 2006.

“Look, there are a lot of eyeballs, there is a lot of attention,” he said.

“But I’m trying to do the same things as I normally would. And for me, nothing really changes. And I don’t really want it to change. We’re very low-key when it comes to these things. I’ve always wanted to let my tennis do the talking. I don’t need anything else. If people are talking about me, it’s because I’m doing something, so I’d like to keep it to that.”

Boulter earlier shared what it has been like for the couple this summer.

The world No. 57 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.

“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.”

Originally published as Alex de Minaur romance with Katie Boulter flipped on its head before Aussie Open