Top British tennis star Katie Boulter secretly married her fellow professional player fiance Alex de Minaur in a ‘low key’ and ‘intimate family’ church ceremony today.
It was game, set and match for the loved up happy couple who were both defeated in early rounds while competing at this year’s Wimbledon tournament.
They got hitched in a charming Leicestershire village near to where Katie, 29, grew up and where her parents still live, the Daily Mail can reveal.
Local residents, who had heard about the hush hush nuptials, told how they had been ‘sworn to secrecy’ but a few hovered around the church to catch a glimpse of the famous bride and groom.
The wedding took place before a small congregation of family members only at the same time the Men’s final at Wimbledon in south west London was underway between reigning champion Italian Jannik Sinner and German Alexander Zverev.
Katie, 29, dazzled in a long white gown with her blonde hair swept up as she tied the knot with her partner of six years, Australia’s number one player Alex, 27, and ranked world number six.
She arrived at the church with her husband-to-be, smartly dressed in a black suit, white shirt and bow tie, in a black Porsche Carrera which he had been driving and she was front seat passenger.
The couple, stepping out untraditionally together before getting hitched, smiled as they walked, bride first and groom behind, before a few well-wishers.
Former British number one Katie Boulter married her fiance, Alex de Minaur, in a secret ceremony yesterday
Katie and fellow tennis star Alex, ranked number one in his native Australia, tied the knot in Leicestershire
The couple’s wedding took place as the Men’s final was played at Wimbledon, culminating in Jannik Sinner defending his title in SW19
The couple arrived at the church together in a black Porsche Carrera and were married by a female vicar
Locals had been banned from taking any photos.
Their nuptials were described as being ‘deliberately low key’ and ‘personal’ by a source, with only family members attending, and were followed by a celebration in a nearby pub – a world away from the public and media glare of the world’s most feted tennis championship.
The newlyweds are set to become one of international tennis’s most prominent sporting couples.
Katie has been Britain’s number one woman’s player for much of the past five years and now stands at number two.
Between them, the pair have earned more than $30million (£22.5million) in career prize money and won an impressive 15 singles titles across the ATP and WTA Tours.
The couple, who announced their engagement in 2024, married in a beautiful Grade II-listed church in Old Woodhouse, Leicestershire, near the village of Woodhouse Eaves where Katie grew up.
Katie was said to be thrilled that her beloved grandfather Brian Boulter was able to be among guests at the cosy half hour service.
A family insider told the Daily Mail that her grandad is currently receiving hospital care and that Katie is ‘exceptionally close to him.’
He had arrived by taxi with a carer and was assisted going into the church.
They added that the player – who is ranked number 60 in the world and had a surprise defeat in the first round of Wimbledon – was ‘delighted to spend some time with him’ after the service.
Katie and Alex held hands as they prepared to emerge from the church after the private ceremony
They are expected to continue their wedding celebrations in Europe with a party for tennis pals, family and friends
The source said that Katie, who is an ambassador for Age UK, was ‘very happy he was able to share in the special occasion’.
The female vicar confirmed to this newspaper she had married the couple in a late afternoon service but declined to make any other comment, saying: ‘It was a private affair and was meant to be secret.
‘How do you find out?’
A local resident, who knows Katie’s parents, said: ‘Some people in the village knew the wedding was happening but were sworn to secrecy.
‘It’s not often two top tennis players get married in your local church, but out of respect for the family we kept it quiet.’
The woman added: ‘But a few of us wandered along and stayed in the churchyard where a new wild meadow area has recently been planted.
Katie is said to have been pleased that her grandfather, who is receiving hospital care, could make the wedding
The pair have earned more than £22.5million between them in prize money from 15 combined singles titles
‘We just wanted to see the bride who we’ve watched growing up in the neighbourhood and we are so proud of her career and achievements.’
Katie and Aussie Alex left the church first, strolling hand in hand along a quiet country lane, after a female photographer had captured some previous moments.
The couple are expected to continue their wedding celebrations at a secret location in Europe later this week with a big party for wider family and friends and tennis players from around the globe.
The source said: ‘The principal celebration of Katie and Alex’s marriage will take place elsewhere, bringing together their British and Australian families alongside friends from across the international tennis world.’
