Tennis glamour couple Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter have been spotted for the first time since announcing their engagement on Monday, strolling hand-in-hand on Christmas Eve.
The Australian and British sporting stars took to Instagram on Monday to announce that they had been ‘keeping a secret’ from their fans.
The pair beamed as they surprised their followers by announcing the 25-year-old Aussie tennis star had popped the question.
On Tuesday, the lovebirds radiated happiness as they stepped out for a low-key stroll around Sydney CBD holding hands.
De Minaur, 25, wore a branded grey T-shirt and matching baseball cap and cargo shorts for the relaxed outing, while his fiancée, 28, looked relaxed in a maroon Ralph Lauren jumper and navy track pants.
The freshly engaged sporting power duo laced their fingers together in a polite showing of PDA while they pounded the pavement and took in the Christmas lights.
It was a sweet display of holiday season affection before they could go head-to-head on the tennis court in a couple of week’s time.
Australia and Great Britain were drawn in the same group for the United Cup, which is set to start on December 27.
The two nations are set to square off on the final day of the round robin, and there is every chance Boulter, 28, and De Minaur could square off against each other in the mixed doubles event, following the singles ties.
‘I wouldn’t say I was thrilled at the idea of playing him all over again,’ Boulter told Eurosport.
The British athlete on Monday was pictured in her engagement announcement snap wrapping her left arm around the neck of her Aussie beau as she revealed her stunning sparkler.
Having initially met on the professional tennis circuit, the pair had bumped into each other while out for a 6am coffee. It was here that their relationship blossomed and Boulter admitted that was when she knew he was the one.
‘We bumped into each other at six in the morning and ended up getting a coffee. From that moment, I knew I was in it for the long haul,’ Boulter had previously told The Age.
Both have enjoyed excellent years on the WTA and ATP Tours, with Boulter going on to win in Nottingham and San Diego.
De Minaur also ended his 2024 with a huge win at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown bouncing back from his disappointing ATP Finals in Turin where he failed to win a match.
Over the years, the pair have captured the hearts of many tennis fans for their blossoming relationship, with Boulter and De Minaur both regularly seen in the stands watching each other play.
‘Growing up, I was always super-close to my grandpa: I always said to myself that if I can find someone who has half his heart, I’ll be the luckiest woman in the world. I’ve found that person in Alex,’ Boulter said to The Age.
‘He puts me before himself all the time and takes care of the people around him – his family and his team. He’s my best example of what I want to be.’
The couple celebrated their four-year anniversary in March and were seen again supporting each other at Wimbledon this year, notably also heading out for coffee during the tournament week.
Many from the sporting world took to Instagram on Monday to congratulate the pair on their engagement, including British star Emma Raducanu and Aussie player Thanasi Kokkinakis, who joked it was ‘About damn time’.
Boulter and De Minaur are well known for turning out to support each other whenever they take to the court. The Australian notably rushed across Roland Garros following his first-round victory at the French Open this year against Alex Michelsen to watch Boulter in her late-night match against Paula Badosa.
While they will both be gunning to seal victory for their national sides next week, Boulter said that the pair enjoy a healthy rivalry.
‘We take it really well,’ she said of the rivalry.
‘We do like to throw some banter each other’s way, and I think we handle it that way rather than any other way.
‘We know we support each other. It’s such an important start to each other’s years and we’ll always do everything we can for our country.
‘At the end of the day, we’re still going to go home and be together and get through it together.’
