NEW YORK — Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur has revealed plans to team up with British No. 1 Katie Boulter in a bid to "throw a spanner in the works" at the upcoming US Open mixed doubles event. The pair, who are also romantically linked off the court, are eager to make their mark as a formidable duo in Flushing Meadows.
De Minaur, currently ranked World No. 12 in singles, confirmed the partnership during a press conference at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. "We've been talking about it for a while now, and we think it could be really fun," he said with a grin. "Katie's got a big game, and I love competing—so why not give it a shot and see if we can cause some upsets?"
A Power Couple on the Court
The pairing marks the first time de Minaur and Boulter will compete together in a Grand Slam mixed doubles event. Both players have had strong singles seasons—de Minaur reached a career-high ranking of No. 9 earlier this year, while Boulter claimed her second WTA title at the San Diego Open in March.
Boulter, who is currently ranked No. 43 in the world, echoed de Minaur's enthusiasm. "We've practiced together a lot, and our games complement each other well," she told reporters. "Alex brings incredible speed and defense, and I can be aggressive at the net. It's going to be exciting to see how we match up against the best teams."
Why Mixed Doubles Could Be a Game-Changer
Mixed doubles has often been seen as a secondary event at Grand Slams, but recent years have seen top singles players like Nick Kyrgios, Serena Williams, and Matteo Berrettini embrace the format. For de Minaur and Boulter, it offers a unique opportunity to:
- Test their chemistry under competitive pressure
- Gain valuable doubles experience that could translate to their singles games
- Enjoy a lighter, more collaborative side of tournament play
De Minaur, known for his relentless baseline game, admitted that adapting to doubles strategy will be a challenge. "I'm used to covering every inch of the court myself, but in doubles, you have to trust your partner and play as a unit," he said. "Katie's got a great serve and volley, so I'll be looking to set her up as much as possible."
A Potential Dark Horse Pairing
While mixed doubles draws often feature specialist pairs, the combination of de Minaur’s speed and Boulter’s power could make them a dangerous wildcard. Boulter’s ability to dictate play with her forehand and de Minaur’s defensive skills could frustrate more experienced teams.
Former doubles champion Rennae Stubbs weighed in on the pairing, telling ESPN: "They might not be the favorites, but they’ve got the athleticism and competitive fire to surprise people. If they can find their rhythm early, they could go deep."
Balancing Romance and Competition
The couple, who have been dating since 2021, are no strangers to supporting each other at tournaments. Boulter frequently attends de Minaur’s matches, and vice versa. However, playing together adds a new dynamic. "We’re both super competitive, so we’ll have to keep it professional on court," Boulter joked. "But at the end of the day, it’s about having fun and enjoying the experience."
The US Open mixed doubles draw will be announced on August 28, with play beginning shortly after. Fans will be eager to see if this high-energy duo can live up to their promise of "throwing a spanner in the works" and making a deep run in New York.