Australian reached the quarter-finals at SW19 last year.
For Alex de Minaur, the British grass-court season is about more than just tennis, it’s about home away from home.
The Australian has become a familiar face on UK soil, not just for his dynamic grass-court game but also thanks to his relationship with fiancé and British No. 2 Katie Boulter. Their shared journey, on and off the court, has anchored De Minaur’s growing connection to the country, turning this leg of the season into something more personal.
“I love the UK,” De Minaur told ATPTour.com ahead of the grass swing “I’ve spent a lot of time over here in recent years. I think it’s a completely different style of living than in Spain. There’s a lot more greenery, a lot more countryside, which I do enjoy. Being at Wimbledon is special and when it comes to the court and the tennis, I am ready to produce my best again this year.”
De Minaur’s Wimbledon campaign came to an abrupt halt last year due to a hip injury, just before a highly anticipated quarter-final clash with Novak Djokovic. But the disappointment did little to dim his star among local fans. With his trademark speed, gritty baseline play and quiet charisma, he’s been affectionately dubbed an ‘honourary Brit’ at times in recent years.
That label fits for more reasons than one. His bond with Boulter has made the UK feel like a second home, complete with local hideaways and quiet park strolls.
“I’ve been quite fortunate that I’ve had a pretty good tour guide with Katie,” De Minaur said. “She’s shown me around the best spots. The grass season has always been one of my favourite seasons in the year and it feels quite good to stay in the same place for the entirety of the season.
“We definitely do have some of our special areas that we like to keep quiet, because it does tend to get a little bit crazy during that Wimbledon timeline. But yeah, we’ve got enough special areas where we can get our alone time and really enjoy doing what we love.”
The couple’s summer stretch in the UK provides an opportunity to carve out more time together on a global Tour, which can leave them on opposite sides of the globe.
“Whenever we are at the same tournaments, it just makes life a lot easier,” De Minaur said. “You get that sense of tranquillity, you’ve got each other. Our teams are almost like an extension of family… Even though we’re away from home, or wherever we may be, it feels like we’re all together and we’re all at home.”
On court, De Minaur has steadily built his resume on grass. A finalist at The Queen’s Club and a former Eastbourne titlist, the 26-year-old’s foot speed and flat groundstrokes have made him one of the most dangerous players on the surface.
And as he eyes another deep run at Wimbledon in 2025 following his 2024 quarter-final showing, the support he feels from the British crowd adds an extra layer of motivation.
“I definitely do feel the support, and it’s a pretty cool feeling, especially in a place like Wimbledon, where there’s such rich history, culturally and tennis-wise,” De Minaur said. “Everyone just loves the sport. And for them to have my back and show such great support, even though I’m not from that country, is pretty special.”
De Minaur will begin his Wimbledon campaign on Tuesday against Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena.