Aussie tennis star Alex de Minaur is on a collision course with his girlfriend Katie Boulter after the staging of the United Cup draw.
The 25-year-old will be part of the Australian team, who will play Great Britain and a yet to be determined third nation in Sydney from December 28.
Action in Perth for the same tournament begins on December 27, featuring the likes of Greece, USA, Germany and Canada.
‘Just wait until he [de Minaur] wakes up in Europe,’ Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt said with a smile when the draw was made official.
It comes after ‘Demon’ joked with Hewitt that he wanted to avoid a potential on-court meeting against his glamorous partner.
The sport’s power couple celebrated their fourth anniversary earlier this year – and Boulter is clearly smitten by the Sydneysider.
‘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,’ Boulter told The Age in June ahead of Wimbledon.
‘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.
Aussie tennis star Alex de Minaur is on a collision course with his girlfriend Katie Boulter (pictured together) after the United Cup draw was revealed
Tennis’ power couple celebrated their fourth anniversary in June
‘He puts me before himself all the time and takes care of the people around him – his family and his team.
‘He’s my best example of what I want to be.’
Meanwhile, Hewitt – who is Australia’s Davis Cup coach – is adamant de Minaur can breakthrough and go deep in the second week at the Australian Open next year.
‘The highest you get seeded, it takes out some of the dangerous players at the top of the game and you sometimes get a kinder draw,’ he said when quizzed on the world number 10’s chances at Melbourne Park.
‘He’s only done the round of 16 at the Australian Open and the last three majors after that this year have been quarter-finals.
‘Fingers crossed he can tick that off and at least make the final eight. ‘He’s also added layers to his game (this year).
‘He’s been able to build a little bit more strength as well so he’s got a bit more firepower, but we know how well he moves around the court.’