**Alex de Minaur Opens Up on Break from Tennis after Disconcerting Training Session with Katie Boulter**
Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur has spoken candidly about his recent decision to step away from the tennis court, revealing that a particularly “weird” moment during training with his fiancée, British number one Katie Boulter, was central to his need for time off. The prominent couple, who announced their engagement at the end of last year, continue to support each other’s high-profile careers, but it appears that the demands of life on the tour have exacted a significant toll.
De Minaur, a consistent presence on the ATP circuit, returned to competitive play at the Queen’s Club tournament on Tuesday but faced a swift defeat at the hands of Czech player Jiri Lehecka. The 26-year-old lost 6-4, 6-2 as Lehecka advanced to the round of 16, marking a tough comeback following de Minaur’s absence from the game. The decision to take a rare break came in the aftermath of his surprising second-round loss at Roland Garros, where he was defeated by Alexander Bublik despite holding a commanding two-set lead.
Following his French Open heartbreak, de Minaur opted out of the 2024 Libéma Open in Rosmalen, thus forgoing the opportunity to defend his title. His explanation to reporters at Queen’s Club this week shed light on the mindset of a player grappling with mental fatigue and a loss of enjoyment in the game — an unusual admission for the highly-driven Australian. “After Roland Garros, it was definitely a week of doing nothing, having nothing to do with tennis,” he shared, describing the need to disconnect from his routine. “That’s very rare for me. I can’t remember the last time I did that.”
The turning point, however, came during a practice session with Boulter. De Minaur, who has often supported his fiancée as a hitting partner, found himself unable to enjoy even the most familiar aspects of his professional routine. “It felt quite weird because…I just didn’t enjoy it at all. I can’t remember the last time I haven’t enjoyed having a hit on grass,” he reflected. This feeling prompted him to take three additional days off from training, a move he says eventually allowed him to start rebuilding his enthusiasm for the sport.
Elaborating on his time away, de Minaur said he sought to reclaim a sense of normality, deliberately removing himself from the 24/7 demands of athletic preparation. “Anything I would define as being a normal human being and having a normal human being’s life,” he explained, recalling the mental exhaustion that permeated his game. The break, he suggested, provided crucial perspective and the opportunity to address the fatigue that had been affecting both his performance and his mindset.
The relief, at least psychologically, appears to have been effective, even if the result at Queen’s was not what he had hoped for. De Minaur believes that his time away has helped him regain the energy and competitive drive that he is known for. With Wimbledon approaching, he is now aiming to go beyond his past performances at the All England Club, where he has never advanced past the second round.
Meanwhile, Boulter herself is balancing her own competitive ambitions. She paired with Emma Raducanu in the women’s doubles at Queen’s earlier in the month, reaching the quarter-finals. In the singles, Boulter exited in the last 16 after a contest against fifth seed Diana Shnaide. Continuing her active schedule, she notched a win over Lulu Sun on Tuesday to progress in the Nottingham Open.
This phase in their careers highlights the challenges faced by athletes at the highest level — not only the physical demands but also the emotional fatigue and mental resilience required to compete on the global stage. As both Boulter and de Minaur look ahead to Wimbledon and beyond, their candid reflections offer a reminder of the pressures inherent in professional sport.
With both players now back in tournament action, the coming weeks will provide a real test of whether de Minaur’s break and Boulter’s determination can propel them to noteworthy success during the prestigious summer grass court season. The sporting world will be watching keenly to see how this talented pairing fares, both individually and as one of tennis’s most celebrated couples.