British women's No.1 Katie Boulter has detailed how she feels about potentially going head-to-head with her fiancé, Aussie Alex de Minaur, at the United Cup.
The newly-engaged couple will be at opposite ends of the court at Ken Rosewell Arena for the annual mixed teams event, with Boulter's Team Great Britain drawn against de Minaur and Australia in Group F.
With both set to contest their respective single match as the No.1 ranked player for their team, the pair could then meet in the mixed doubles match.
Katie Boulter celebrates in her singles match against Rebecca Sramkova at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Nathan Stirk/Getty Images for LTA
Hours before announcing their engagement in a joint Instagram post on Monday, Boulter fronted media in Sydney.
"I wouldn't say I was thrilled at the idea of playing him," she said of the United Cup draw and the potential to face her fiancé on the other side of the net.
"He's a top-10 player and he knows how to play tennis so there's one side of it, then there is the personal side of it as well which is difficult but also great for bragging rights, so I am looking forward to the match.
"I think it's going to be a great atmosphere and playing against Australia is always fun."
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This is not the first time Boulter and de Minaur have been opponents after Australia played Great Britain at last year's edition of the tournament.
On that occasion, Boulter triumphed in her singles match over Ajla Tomljanovic while de Minaur was defeated by Cameron Norrie.
Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia congratulates Katie Boulter of Great Britain after winning their women's singles match at the 2024 United Cup. Will Russell via Getty Images
Fortunately, the couple did not face off in the doubles — which Australia's Storm Hunter and Matthew Ebden took out to take Australia to a 2-1 lead.
For the first time in his career, de Minaur will end this year inside the top 10.
While Boulter said she always backs her partner, she did not think he would be applauding her efforts in the same way in this instance.
"I don't think he's going to be out there cheering for me, but hey, you never know. People do surprise you," she said with a smile.
Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter have announced their engagement weeks out from the Australian summer of tennis. Instagram
"But I'm always supporting him, I support whatever he does.
"With that match [mixed doubles at the United Cup], it's a very unique situation and something that I'm not that used to.
"We'll just try and handle it the best we possibly can and I'll be supporting him every time I can from the box for the rest of the year."
Here's everything you need to know about the United Cup.
What is the United Cup and how does it work?
This year marks the third edition of the United Cup — a mixed, teams event split across two cities.
A total of 18 countries will participate drawn into six groups of three teams that will then compete in a round robin format.
Each team can have up to six members with a maximum of three ATP players and three WTA players. Each team has a captain too.
Perth Arena and Ken Rosewall Arena will play host to the teams.
Per the United Cup website, "Each tie between countries will consist of one men's singles match, one women's singles match, and a mixed doubles match.
"The singles matches will be played by the country's No.1 men's and women's singles players that enter the competition.
Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev after Germany's United Cup victory in 2024. Â Getty
"The order of the singles matches may change – ties can start with either men's or women's singles – but mixed doubles will always conclude the tie.
"The team which wins at least two of the three matches wins the tie."
Once group ties are played the six teams topping their respective groups will move into the quarter-finals.
The other two quarter-final spots are given to the best-performing runner-up team from each city.
When and where is the United Cup held?
The tournament will be held from Friday 27 December to Sunday 5 January 2025 across Perth and Sydney.
How can I watch the United Cup?
Stan Sport will have live, ad-free, and on-demand coverage of the United Cup from December 27 to January 5, 2025.
It will also be broadcast on Nine and 9Now.
Who is playing in the United Cup?
Seven of the world's top 10 women and six of the world's top 12 men's players will feature at the 2025 United Cup.
Team USA will be led by 2023 US Open champion and world No.3 Coco Gauff on debut and US Open finalist Taylor Fritz.
For team Poland, world No.1 Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz (world No.12) will headline as the No.2 seeds.
Greece will feature Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari, as third seeds.
Italy are the fourth seed, with Jasmine Paolini and Flavio Cobolli to star.
Zhang Zhizhen will headline for Team China after Zheng Qinwen withdrew from the tournament to focus on the Australian Open.
For Australia, de Minaur, Olivia Gadeki, Omar Jasika, Destanee Aiava, Matt Ebden and Ellen Perez will feature.
How much prize money is on offer?
This year's United Cup offers a minimum of $15.9 million in prize money.
The total prize money is split into three components.
Participation fee, per team wins and prize money.
Where are the finals played?
The winners will progress to the semi-finals and final, to be held in Sydney.
