Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur lost in the first round of the Eisenhower Cup exhibition (Image: Getty)
has responded after jokingly threatened to end their mixed doubles partnership following their defeat at the Eisenhower Cup. The tennis power couple teamed up for the Tie Break Tens exhibition, which saw players face off in a series of first-to-10-point tiebreaks.
The Australian and British duo didn’t get very far, losing in the first round. Afterwards, Boulter suggested that she wouldn’t team up with her fiance again. De Minaur has now conceded that the world No. 38 was “not too happy” with his efforts, but he’s hoping to redeem himself in time for their next event.
De Minaur and Boulter were one of eight star-studded pairings who took part in the Eisenhower Cup on Tuesday night. The ATP No. 10 and the top-ranked Brit had joined forces once before in the mixed doubles draw and are already hoping to play together at the US Open later this year.
But their plans could now be derailed after a nightmare outing in Indian Wells, where they lost their opening tiebreak match to and Emma Navarro, who won the Eisenhower Cup last year.
Boulter wasn’t impressed with her fiance after their defeat. Quizzed over their mixed doubles hopes, the Brit claimed it was the “second and last time” they would be playing together.
De Minaur has now responded, conceding that he needed to improve if he wanted to reinstate their US Open partnership.
Alex de Minaur admitted Katie Boulter wasn’t ‘happy’ with his efforts (Image: Sky Sports)
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“I wasn’t sure if she was joking or not! We will have to see if US Open mixed is still on the cards,” the 26-year-old told Sky Sports.
“I don’t think she was too happy with me. I missed too many volleys, and I wasn’t the greatest partner. She always carries me! I need to improve.”
It remains to be seen whether Boulter forgives her fiance and reunites with him on the match court. But for now, she will be focused on her own injury comeback.
The British No. 1 has not played a match since losing in the second round of the almost two months ago. She skipped the WTA 1000s in Doha and Dubai due to a foot injury and is returning to action in Indian Wells this week.
As the 25th seed in Indian Wells, Boulter has a bye directly into the second round and will face either Irina-Camelia Begu or Ann Li. Ahead of his partner’s comeback, De Minaur said: “I think, as she kind of said, it’s all about perspective.
“She’s coming back from an injury, it’s never going to be easy coming in. She’s definitely very keen to get out there and compete. I’m just happy to see her back on tour.”
As for De Minaur, the Australian is the No. 9 seed in the men’s singles draw and also has a bye. He awaits the winner of a clash between David Goffin and Lorenzo Sonego.