Although Alex de Minaur’s journey in the Olympic Games has come to an end, the Australian tennis player remained in Paris to support his fellow athletes.
The 25-year-old, joined by his coach and tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt, went absolutely ecstatic as they witnessed Kaylee McKeown winning her second consecutive Olympic gold medal in Paris.
On Tuesday night (local time), De Minaur and Hewitt were part of the Aussie crowd cheering for McKeown and teammate Iona Anderson, who were competing against a formidable lineup that included USA’s world record holder Regan Smith.
While Anderson faced disappointment, McKeown maintained her composure in a tightly contested race, finishing ahead of her American competitor to secure her third gold medal.
After the broadcast showcased McKeown celebrating joyfully in the water, the camera turned towards De Minaur and Hewitt in the stands, both elated and celebrating fiercely.
De Minaur withdrew from the men’s singles due to a hip injury sustained during his Wimbledon run earlier this month.
He participated in the men’s doubles alongside his childhood friend Alexei Popyrin, but their journey ended in the first round.
Earlier on Tuesday, De Minaur’s tennis star girlfriend, Katie Boulter, achieved victory in her women’s doubles match against Germany with partner Heather Watson.
McKeown is now the second woman ever to secure back-to-back gold medals in the 100m backstroke at the Olympics, joining American Natalie Coughlin (2004, 2008).
The Queensland star previously claimed gold in both the 100m and 200m backstroke at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.
She will begin defending her 200m title on Thursday, with heats and semi-finals leading up to Friday’s medal event.
Additionally, McKeown has included the 200m individual medley in her Paris plans, with its final scheduled for Saturday.
Now holding four Olympic gold medals, McKeown was also part of Australia’s victorious women’s 4×100 medley team in Tokyo.
She is expected to compete in the medley final for Australia’s team, set for the last day of the Olympics at the Paris pool on Sunday.
Stay tuned for more updates.
