Meet British tennis’ new golden girl who’s dating a fellow Wimbledon star

With Emma Raducanu sidelined, British hopes of success in the women’s draw at Wimbledon rest on the shoulders of Katie Boulter.

The 26-year-old from Leicester is at the peak of her powers having won her first WTA Tour event in Nottingham last month. As well as her Nottingham run, the world 88 will draw confidence from last year’s Wimbledon when she defeated former finalist Karolina Pliskova in the second round on Centre Court.

Her 2022 campaign at SW19 was curtailed in the third round, which is the furthest she has ever gone at a Grand Slam. She made the second round at the recent French Open and went out at the same stage of the Australian Open back in 2019.

Things are going well for Boulter away from the court too as she is loved up with boyfriend and fellow tennis player Alex de Minaur, the world number 16, who will also be in action at Wimbledon.

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While most pictures on Boulter’s Instagram page are of her in tennis action, there are also plenty of snaps with her Australian beau.

“I feel like we continually both push each other,” said Boulter of De Minaur. “There’s a lot I’ve learned from him as a person and as a player. I’m very lucky to have an insider who knows the emotions that I go through on and off the court.

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“He’s an incredible player and, as you can see from his ranking, he does it week in, week out. I’ve got a lot to learn from him. I do my best to watch what he does and emulate it.”

The couple, along with Bolter’s back-up team, are sharing a large house near the All England Club for the duration of The Championships. She begins her campaign on Tuesday against Australian Daria Saville and insists she doesn’t feel any extra pressure after becoming British number one.

“I feel very comfortable in my own skin when it comes to that kind of stuff. I can do my best and at the end of the day that’s all I can do,” she said.

“I know I’ve put the work in. If it happens to come out this week, then great, it’s a dream come true.

“But I’ve sat here and I’ve watched Wimbledon and there’s been many times that I haven’t played Wimbledon, and I really don’t take anything for granted just being here and playing and being a part of this tournament.

“I haven’t seen any newspapers. Of course it’s nice to feel like people appreciate you, but at the same time it’s about the tennis and I’ve got a lot of work to do. I’ve got to get my job done and keep myself very grounded.”

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