Tennis star Katie Boulter to play against boyfriend as partners become 'enemies'
Katie Boulter and boyfriend Alex de Minaur are "officially enemies now" after being pitted against each other in a tennis tournament.
British No.1 Boulter, 27, has been in a relationship with Australian No.1 De Minaur, 24, for three years. The couple were mixed doubles partners at Wimbledon this year, reaching the second round before losing in three sets to Joran Vliegen and Xu Yifan.
Yet they will now face each other following the draw for the upcoming United Cup. The second edition of the hard court tournament, which features mixed-gender teams from 18 countries, will take place in Australia between December 29 and January 7.
Team GB have been drawn against De Minaur's Australia and defending champions United States in Group C. There are six groups of three, with the winners progressing to the quarter-finals. The two best runners-up will also reach the knockout stages.
Each team will play three matches - one men's singles, one women's singles and one mixed doubles. Team GB have included Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans and Boulter in their squad, which can contain up to five players. Doubles specialists are usually called upon.
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Boulter and De Minaur discovered their fate on Monday. "Officially enemies now," wrote De Minaur on Instagram, accompanied with a heart emoji and the Australian flag. Boulter replied with a laughing emoji and the Union Jack: "Well this is going to end well."
Boulter is enjoying the most successful period of her career to date after winning the Nottingham Open in June by defeating fellow Brit Jodie Burrage in the final. She's currently ranked 55th in the women's game, achieving a highest ranking of 50th last month.
Boulter and De Minaur have been together for three years (Getty Images)Do you think Team GB can win the United Cup? Let us know in the comments below!
De Minaur is also hitting his peak. The Aussie is currently ranked 13th in the men's game and will be targeting a top-10 spot. He's won seven career titles and has previously beaten the likes of Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev and Andy Murray.
Boulter opened up on her relationship with De Minaur during an interview with Tatler in June. "I’m very proud of what (De Minaur) does," she said, "He's one of the motivators that keeps me going... I’m a very competitive person. That’s one of my biggest traits."
Boulter admitted it can be difficult seeing De Minaur due to their busy schedules. They got together after he asked her out on a coffee date. She joked: "That was the end for me."
Yet Boulter and De Minaur are both focused on their careers and will be determined to beat one another this Christmas. She added: "We’re on the same wavelength when it comes to our priorities. Tennis is where we want to be - and the rest will follow."
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