Boulter’s journey to the third round is reading like a Hollywood script...
AUSTRALIAN BOYFRIEND PRAISES HER ‘AMAZING’ ACHIEVEMENT
IT takes something for an Australian to win over Wimbledon’s Centre Court crowd immediately after knocking out a home favourite, writes Paul Eddison of Sportsbeat.
But Alex de Minaur has a special weapon in the shape of girlfriend Katie Boulter, of Woodhouse Eaves in Leicestershire.
The 25-year-old, fresh from her emphatic victory over 2021 finalist Karolina Pliskova earlier in the day, was part of the crowd as De Minaur got the better of Jack Draper in four sets to book his own place in the third round.
And rather than focus on his own performance, De Minaur’s first response in his on-court interview was to bring up his other half’s achievements – delighting the crowd in the process.
He said: “Before we talk about my match, can we just talk about Katie Boulter today? I mean, she had a pretty good win herself.”
Boulter’s path to the third round could easily have been scripted by Hollywood.
In fact, one national newspaper has already drawn the parallels between her relationship with De Minaur and the pairing of Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst in 2004 romcom Wimbledon.
While it is perhaps not quite that far-fetched, the fact that she has had to overcome a spinal stress fracture while also dealing with chronic fatigue syndrome, makes Boulter’s efforts all the more remarkable.
This week she has also had to cope with losing her grandmother, finding out about her passing in the immediate aftermath of her first round win. Despite all that, the talent was always there, with 23-yearold De Minaur keen to stress that Boulter has always had the ability to thrive on the biggest stage ahead of her third round encounter with Serena Williams’ conqueror Harmony Tan.
He added: “I think it’s amazing. I mean, what she was able to do today was an amazing effort.
“I mean, under all the circumstances, she got out there on Centre Court, and beat last year’s runnerup. I think that’s pretty special.
“I’m just stoked for her. You know, this is her home slam. She gets to enjoy it.
“I know she was a little bit nervous going in, but she’s gone out and put on a brilliant performance.
“For me, more than anything, I just loved to see her back. I think this is back where she belongs.
“And in no time she will be even higher than ever. I think she’s got an incredible level, and she’s been showing it all this grass season. I’m very proud of her.”
Her mother, Sue Boulter, was seen beaming with pride as she watched her daughter triumph over the Czech Republic’s Pliskova from the players’ box, while fans roared in support and many cried.
She said: “The whole family is so proud of the way Katie performed and how she continues to deal with whatever is thrown in her path.
“It goes without saying we will be supporting her all the way.”