Fans quickly noticed new tennis power couple Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Wimbledon mixed doubles draw when it was released, but they are not the only tennis couple in the field.
Partners Katie Boulter of Great Britain and Alex de Minaur of Australia are also playing mixed doubles together for the first time.
“I’ve been bugging her for a while to play. We said we would give it a go at least one time. It’s going to be exciting,” De Minaur said after his first-round singles win Thursday. “It’s going to be fun. I’m going to enjoy it. I’ve been prepping playing a lot of doubles this grass-court season for this mixed. She hasn’t on the other hand. She might be a little bit rusty, but I’m sure it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Boulter, who is into the third round in singles, is thrilled to be giving it a go with De Minaur.
“I think it’s something we’ve both wanted to do for quite some time. I think we’re both going to really enjoy it and cherish it. It’s not often that you get to have that experience together, especially at Wimbledon,” Boulter said. “We’re going to go out there and have a swing. We’ve got nothing to lose, so I’m looking forward to it.”
The Briton, who will hope the home crowd helps push her and De Minaur through, believes it’s going to be “an experience” competing alongside her boyfriend.
“It’s going to test our relationship. I don’t doubt that for a minute,” Boulter said. “No, it’s a totally different vibe going on the court with him. I think we bring the best out of each other, in terms of tennis, on and off the court. I think we’re going to have a couple smiles on our faces, enjoying ourselves. Yeah, he’s obviously got a lot more experience than me in doubles, and I’ll be looking to draw off him.”
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De Minaur refused to name himself captain of their on-court partnership, though. According to the Australian, they have not yet discussed who will play on which side of the court.
“We have not even gotten to that phase,” De Minaur said. “But I would probably recommend her to take the forehand and I might stick to the backhand side. But hey, we never know, we might just switch it up after a set if it’s not going too well.”
Most of all, they look forward to having fun on the court. Boulter and De Minaur will play Australians John Peers and Storm Hunter in the first round.
“I always say this: I play my best tennis when I’m relaxed. I’m enjoying myself. I try really hard to keep reminding myself of that. It really does bring the best out of me,” Boulter said. “I think having him with me will keep me very calm and hopefully we can play some really good doubles.”