Katie Boulter has been dealt a fresh setback after a brutal year on the court, with Alex de Minaur‘s fiancee missing out on a place in the Australian Open main draw. 104 players have received direct entry into the main draw for the first grand slam of 2026, including those with protected rankings.
But unfortunately for Boulter, the British tennis star is currently ranked 106 and will therefore have to battle through qualifying in January to try and secure her spot at Melbourne Park. Boulter could have played for extra ranking points in a WTA 125 event in France last week but has been hampered by a hip injury she sustained in Hong Kong in October.
Alex de Minaur’s fiancee Katie Boulter has missed out on a spot in the Australian Open main draw after a tough year for the tennis golden couple. Pic: Getty
The former British No.1 said last month that she had to “choose between my body and my ranking” after deciding whether to play on in 2025. “If there are tournaments there, it gives you an opportunity because you want to make the main draw of Australia,” she told the BBC at the time. “I think I know my own right choice, but it’s difficult because it means that everyone else is going to be playing and passing me.”
Boulter has plummeted down the rankings after a disappointing year on the court in which she’s won just 14 main-draw matches on the WTA Tour. The 29-year-old also announced her split with coach Biljana Veselinovic last month, having worked together for two years and winning three WTA titles together.
Katie Boulter will have to battle through qualifying at Melbourne Park in January to secure her spot at the 2026 Australian Open. Pic: Getty
This latest setback for Boulter comes after she left the court in tears when retiring hurt at the Hong Kong Open in October. She called for the trainer while trailing Filipino Alexandra Eala 6-4 2-1 in their first-round match, and broke down courtside when she couldn’t continue.
Boulter later wrote on social media: “Being honest the past couple of weeks have been rough. I’ve loved my time in Asia, but playing through injuries is draining. Just keeping it real, it’s been a lot.” It explained the decision to prioritise her health over ranking points, which has ultimately left her Australian Open hopes up in the air.
Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur reveal struggles in 2025
Boulter and finance de Minaur have been a beacon of support for one another this year, with the Aussie discussing his own struggles just last month. The Aussie admitted he was in a “dark place” after back-to-back defeats at the season-ending ATP Finals, before a massive win over Taylor Fritz that secured his spot in the semi-finals.
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The Aussie also touched on Boulter’s adversity and said he was “incredibly lucky to have the support system that I have”. Boulter is often seen cheering de Minaur on at court-side and the couple have been a rock for one another during difficult times on and off the court.
Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur have supported each other through various struggles in 2025. Pic: Getty
“I’ve dealt with a fair bit of heartbreak recently. It was good to – finally – get a win,” de Minaur said in Turin. “More than anything, regardless of the result… I had made peace with myself. I was okay with the result not going my way. I just wanted to play my way.
“It felt good to play on my terms. I was gonna leave everything out there and I ended up with a really good match from the start ’til the end. It was good to get some positive reward for that hard work.”
with agencies