Katie Boulter refrains from wearing wedding ring at US Open
Katie Boulter has confirmed she’ll be keeping her wedding ring well away from the court at this year’s US Open — and it’s all thanks to a cautionary tale from Andy Murray, reports BritPanorama.
The British No. 1, who married Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur this summer, has drawn lessons from Murray’s infamous 2021 mishap at Indian Wells. Murray, known for tying his wedding band to his shoelaces during matches, lost both his ring and trainers, eventually recovering them after a public plea to fans online.
“Not during matches. I can’t,” Boulter stated. “I learned from Andy. I’m not going to do that,” she told the BBC, highlighting how that episode clearly left an impression.
Boulter and De Minaur exchanged vows on 12 July in Leicestershire, coinciding with the final Sunday of Wimbledon. The ceremony was intentionally intimate, attended by just eight guests, to allow her grandfather, who is living with dementia, to participate.
“One was in the U.K. for my nearest and dearest. It was like eight people — very, very small, very much for my grandpa,” Boulter explained. Following the UK ceremony, the couple celebrated with a larger gathering at the Borgo Santo Pietro hotel in Tuscany, which offered a completely different atmosphere.
The Italian wedding was described as “a huge contrast,” filled with their closest friends and a celebratory spirit. However, it was not without its dramas; De Minaur’s shirt was missing a button just before the ceremony, requiring Boulter’s brother to provide quick repairs. Additionally, moments before she walked down the aisle, a shoulder of Boulter’s dress came loose, necessitating a scramble for safety pins.
As celebrations moved to Italy, a surprise heatwave pushed temperatures beyond expectations. “I wouldn’t change it because there was a lot of thinking on their feet,” said Boulter. “And it bonded everyone even more so. It’s something that we can look back on and laugh about now. So I think it was perfect.”
Not every player on the tour shares Boulter’s hesitation regarding jewellery during matches. Aryna Sabalenka, for instance, felt no qualms about wearing her engagement ring during Indian Wells, stating, “I was pretty confident wearing it, hoping it might even distract my opponent,” a strategy that ultimately paid off as she won the tournament.
Boulter’s form entering Flushing Meadows has been inconsistent, with first-round exits in Washington, the Canadian Open, and Cincinnati. Currently ranked No. 72 in the world, she has previously reached as high as No. 23 and made it to the third round of the US Open in 2023.
As she steps onto the court, the decision to leave the ring behind is both a reflection of her practicality and an echo of lessons learned from those who have navigated the pressures of professional sport before her. Amidst the highs and lows of competition, such personal choices highlight the delicate balance athletes maintain between their professional and personal identities.
