Before the Happy Slam begins, Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter took a major step toward happily ever after.
The 25-year-old de Minaur and long-time girlfriend Boulter, 28, announced their engagement on social media today.
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The beaming couple shared this image of engaged bliss—with Boulter sporting a sparkling diamond engagement ring—and the caption "We've been keeping a small secret..."
Fans and fellow players shared their congratulations with the happy couple with some asking for video of the ninth-ranked Aussie dropping to his knees and asking Boulter to marry him.
One of tennis' top couples celebrated their engagement hitting the court for a United Cup practice session.
Boulter's British squad is scheduled to face de Minaur and Australia in United Cup play on January 1st, which could see them square off in mixed doubles match with "bragging rights" on the line.
"I wouldn't say I was thrilled at the idea of playing him all over again," Boulter told the media before news of her engagement to de Minaur. "He's a Top-10 player and he knows how to play tennis, so there's one side of it.
"Then there's the personal side of it, which is difficult but also great for bragging rights."
The couple's announcement comes nearly a year after de Minaur hinted he was considering popping the question.
After de Minaur shocked Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4 sparking Australia’s United Cup sweep of Serbia last January, the man nicknamed Demon was asked if engagement was in his future in this exchange with Australian media.
Question: Great win tonight. You mentioned the AO. Rusty [Lleyton Hewitt] is your idol on the court. But what about off the court? In 2005 he proposed to his then-girlfriend Bec [Cartwright]. Will we get a proposal to Katie [Boulter] after the AO?
ALEX de MINAUR: (Laughter.) Jeez. Putting me on the spot here. Yeah, it's not on the cards just yet. Not ruling it out. But yeah, for the time being, I'm going to try and focus on playing tennis and then we'll think about the off-court activities.”
The 28-year-old Boulter and de Minaur, who celebrated their four-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.
The two players often turn to fans cheering for each other in respective support boxes. Boulter says her partner is her inspiration.
"Hey, he's someone that I idolize and I try and emulate," Boulter said of deMinaur at the US Open. "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."
Their shared positive connection has made them one of pro tennis’ most popular couples.
"Oh, yeah, she's amazing," de Minaur said of Boulter last summer. "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."