BRITISH NO. 1 KATIE BOULTER WALKS HAND IN HAND WITH HER AUSTRALIAN BOYFRIEND ALEX DE MINAUR AS THE TWO LOVED UP TENNIS STARS ATTEND WIMBLEDON
Tennis star Katie Boulter looked relaxed as she walked hand in hand with her boyfriend Alex De Minaur on Saturday ahead of Wimbledon.
The couple, who have already been supporting each other at this year's tournament, looked as in love as ever during a stroll in West London before heading to training.
The British No. 1, 27, and the Australian tennis star, 25, celebrated their four year anniversary in March after their romance began over a 6am cup of coffee and Katie knew he was one.
Keeping it casual, Katie opted for a green Paradise Beach Club sweatshirt which she paired with some blue sports leggings and blue sliders.
Meanwhile Alex looked ready to head straight to training as he opted for a blue hoody over some white Asics shorts, a grey Asics baseball cap and trainers.
The pair will both be hoping to make their mark at this year's Wimbledon championships. They could also team up for the mixed doubles as they did last year, but the draw will not be completed until Wednesday.
On Tuesday Katie fired through her first match to the second round of the tennis tournament as Alex sat cheering her on.
The sports star beat former semi-finalist Tatjana Maria in straight sets, setting up all-British second-round tie with Harriet Dart.
Alex also secured a straight set victory after he played James Duckworth on Tuesday afternoon before racing to watch Katie from the player's box.
Katie rose up the ranks to Britain's No 1 after claiming her first WTA title following a Brit-on-Brit clash against Jodie Burrage in the final of the Nottingham Open in June 2023.
Commenting on a snap of Katie holding her trophy, Alex joked: 'Not too sure what's more impressive the title or the biceps'.
Discussing how they met during an interview with The Age in June Katie explained: 'We bumped into each other at six in the morning and ended up getting a coffee. From that moment, I knew I was in it for the long haul.
'Growing up, I was always super-close to my grandpa: I always said to myself that if I can find someone who has half his heart, I'll be the luckiest woman in the world. I've found that person in Alex.
'He puts me before himself all the time and takes care of the people around him – his family and his team. He's my best example of what I want to be.'
Alex, who will compete for Australia at the Paris Olympics after Wimbledon, was equally complimentary about his girlfriend, admitting it is 'just a joy to be around her' and he deeply admires her upbeat nature.
The athletic duo recently celebrated their fourth anniversary in March, with Katie posting a sweet photo of them with the caption: '4 years with you (calm down not engaged... just the only finger that ring fits)'.
The couple had more reason to celebrate in March too, when Katie won her second title in San Diego after beating Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk.
That came after Alex won a trophy of his own in Acapulco - and even skipped an after-party to make it to his girlfriend's final.
Katie paid tribute to him afterwards, telling the media: 'I want to say a small special thank you to my boyfriend. He finished last night at midnight and I really want to embarrass him. He got on a 4.15am taxi this morning and 6am flight to be here today, so I do appreciate it.
'He had an incredible week himself. What he did was insane – back to back titles in a 500, that's what I aspire to.'
The couple confirmed their relationship officially in 2021 with a gushing Instagram post alongside a photo of the pair sharing a warm embrace.
'Happy International Women's Day! Specially to this one, I don't mind you,' wrote Alex as Katie commented 'Guess you're OK too' with a love heart and kissing emoji.
However before they went public the pair initially hid their sweet romance from their fellow tennis star.
In a video for Tennis TV in April, Katie said: 'Remember that time when we were having breakfast on like separate tables?'
Alex responded: 'That was the early stages. We would rock down to breakfast at different times.'
Katie then confirmed it was often 'different times, like 10 minutes later,' while Alex added it was a deliberate ploy to 'avoid speculation' to which his girlfriend responded: 'It's so true, so people wouldn't find out.'
The Aussie then could be seeing laughing before cheekily adding: 'Works every time.'
At Wimbledon last year, the pair rented a house near the club, which strengthened their ties in the run up to the competition.
'We all get to spend a whole lot of time together,' she said at the time. 'I have the option of popping out when I want to - I know where the closest coffee shop is, where the stringers are - so this is a place I can call home.'
There have been famous relationships in tennis in the past, most notably Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi who have been married since 2001, but Katie and Alex are the sport's new 'IT' couple and there has been plenty of interest in them since they began dating.
They've been navigating the added scrutiny with ease and Katie insists she prefers not to pay attention to what's written.
'I haven't seen any of the newspapers,' she previously joked when asked about now being in the eye of the general public and not just tennis fans.
'But I am here feeling very privileged. I have to get a job done and keep grounded. I need to work as much as possible to keep as ready as ever.
'I wouldn't say anything has changed (since being No 1). I love to have that feeling when the crowd is roaring and I appreciate it more than anything else on this planet, hopefully I can use that.
'I have an incredible team, boyfriend and friends around me who are super level headed and keep me grounded.'
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