By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Even before Alex de Minaur was soaring with Jets, he was instilling sky-high inspiration in girlfriend Katie Boulter.
The 61st-ranked Boulter reeled off seven straight games dispensing Diane Parry 6-4, 6-0, to reach the US Open second round today.
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Afterward, Boulter credited long-time boyfriend de Minaur's determined run to his maiden Masters 1000 final in Toronto earlier this month as inspiring her.
"Hey, he's someone that I idolize and I try and emulate," Boulter said of deMinaur. "What he did over the course of this period of time has been pretty inspirational for me, and I don't say that lightly.
"He's really pushed the boundaries, and making his first Masters final was a massive moment for him and I don't doubt you'll see a lot more from him."
That moment came earlier this month.
A fierce de Minaur dissected Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1, 6-3 roaring into his maiden Masters 1000 final in Toronto. where he fell to Jannik Sinner.
It was the fourth final of the season for the unseeded de Minaur, who defeated Tommy Paul to win Acapulco in February, fell to World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the Queen's Club final on grass in June then bowed to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Los Cabos final earlier this month.
The couple, who celebrated their three-year anniversary together last March, serve as a mutual support system helping one another navigate the highs and lows of life on the pro circuit.
"Oh, yeah, she's amazing," de Minaur said of Boulter. "Yeah, I guess it's the beauty of us being both in the same sport. We kind of understand each other. "We know what to expect, how we can help each other in certain situations."
They are considerate of each other's flight plans too.
DeMinaur, a devoted golfer and fantasy football player, warmed up for the US Open visiting the NFL's New York Jets training camp where he received some Jets gear and presented QB Zach Wilson with one of his Wilson racquets.
"I think he was a little kid for a minute there going to see some of the football," Boulter said. "All I've been hearing about is Fantasy Football. I think he really enjoyed that. Secretly he probably won't admit it too much, but yeah, he had the best time."
Photo credit: Taste of Tennis/Alex de Minaur Instagram