The United Cup kicks off on Friday, with top ATP and WTA stars joining forces to represent their countries in the team tournament.
For the second year running, Australia and Great Britain have been drawn in the same group, pitting tennis power couple Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter against each other.
After they avoided having to face off in the mixed doubles in 2024, De Minaur has now told Express Sport that he’s dreading the uncomfortable situation of cheering against his girlfriend again.
The Australians will take on the Brits on New Year’s Eve in Sydney. De Minaur leads the Aussie team, with Omar Jasika, Matt Ebden, Olivia Gadecki, Destanee Aiava and Ellen Perez also in the squad.
Meanwhile, Boulter will be joined by Lily Miyazaki, Olivia Nicholls, Billy Harris, Jan Choinski and Charles Broom.
There are two singles matches per tie before a mixed doubles rubber takes place. Back in January, De Minaur and Boulter found themselves in a tricky position, having to root against each other in the singles matches.
Even though they had some practice at the last United Cup, the ATP world No. 9 isn’t keen to experience it again. “I’m not looking forward to it, I don’t think either of us are looking forward to it,” De Minaur told Express Sport.
“It’s a tough situation for both of us but we’re starting very soon. Not a lot of prep time. We’re going to be flying to Australia together and prepping together, and hopefully we can play some great tennis.”
After announcing their engagement, the couple has since already travelled to Australia to begin practising for the tournament. In 2024, they avoided coming face-to-face on the mixed doubles court, with former doubles No. 1 Matthew Ebden teaming up with Storm Hunter to beat Boulter and Neal Skupski.
By then, Team GB had already won the tie – Cameron Norrie had downed De Minaur, and Boulter had defeated Ajla Tomljanovic. And De Minaur believes he will avoid another uncomfortable match against Boulter this time around.
“If you look at my doubles record I’m like 0-10 in the last two years so maybe I’m not the best doubles option considering that we’ve got Matt Ebden who’s just won an Olympic gold medal and a Slam this year,” he smiled. “So I think he might take my spot there.”
It will come as a relief to the 25-year-old, who is happy to sit on the sidelines instead of playing against his girlfriend. De Minaur added: “I would rather play with her as my partner rather than against her, let’s put it like that.”
De Minaur and Boulter have previously teamed up on the doubles court. They entered the mixed event at Wimbledon in 2023, beating De Minaur’s compatriots Hunter and John Peers.
Australia will take on Argentina in their first group tie on Saturday. The Brits will face the Argentine side on Monday before the Aussies meet Team GB on Tuesday.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk