Tennis Stars Celebrate Love as De Minaur Turns 26 in Doha

DOHA, Qatar – British tennis star Katie Boulter celebrated her fiancé Alex de Minaur‘s 26th birthday on social media Sunday, sharing a heartfelt message and a series of nostalgic photos. The couple, who have been dating since 2022, announced their engagement in late 2024, marking a significant milestone in their relationship.

On Monday, Boulter posted several images highlighting their life together, including moments of them enjoying sunsets, relaxing at home, and holidaying together. Her caption read, ‘Celebrating you today and everyday.’

While De Minaur competes in the Qatar Open, Boulter had to withdraw from the tournament due to an injury. The couple’s public displays of affection have made them fan favorites, and their commitment to each other continues to resonate with their supporters.

De Minaur acknowledged his birthday in a cheeky post, featuring himself holding a cake with two candles. He commented, ’26 in Doha. Getting older but not wiser. Thanks for all the Bday wishes.’

The couple first crossed paths on the professional tennis circuit, famously meeting over a 6 a.m. coffee. Boulter revealed in an interview with The Age that she sensed an instant connection. ‘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,’ she said.

Boulter has enjoyed significant success on the WTA Tour, notably winning titles in Nottingham and San Diego last year. Meanwhile, De Minaur ended 2024 on a high note, clinching victory at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown after a disappointing run at the ATP Finals in Turin.

The couple celebrated their four-year anniversary in March and have been spotted supporting one another at major tournaments, including Wimbledon. Boulter has expressed her admiration for De Minaur, saying, ‘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.’

De Minaur, who is seeded No. 2 in Doha, is set to begin his campaign against Russian player Roman Safiullin, who currently ranks No. 70 in the world. Safiullin is looking to turn around a tough start to the season, having lost all three tour-level matches so far.

The Qatar Open draws a competitive field, with top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz being a significant contender. Despite the absence of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, the event promises a challenging atmosphere as players vie for the championship title.