Alex de Minaur was left lost for word during an interview on The Project on Thursday evening.
The 25-year-old Australian tennis star appeared dumbstruck when host Georgie Tunny quizzed him about his sex symbol status, and compared his features to a rat.
‘Did you know that you have been voted Australia’s sexiest rodent boyfriend?’ she said in her hard hitting interview.
The handsome star, who is currently dating Brit tennis champ Katie Boulter, 28, appeared to be taken aback by the back-handed compliment.
‘No I did not know that I don’t know whether I should be happy about it or take that as a slight dig,’ he responded.
Georgie reassured him the accolade was ‘meant to be a compliment.’
According to social media influencers, ‘hot rodent boyfriends’ are the aspirational partner for heterosexual women under 25.
Online they’re described as ‘unconventionally attractive’ and often ‘skinny and lanky’.
Alex de Minaur was left lost for word during an interview on The Project on Thursday evening. The 25-year-old Australian tennis star appeared dumbstruck when host Georgie Tunny (pictured) quizzed him about his sex symbol status, and compared his features to a rat
‘Did you know that you have been voted Australia’s sexiest rodent boyfriend?’ she said in her hard hitting interview. de Minaur, who is currently dating Brit tennis champ Katie Boulter, 28, appeared to be taken aback by the back-handed compliment
The awkward exchange comes after Alex and girlfriend Katie revealed the tricks they played in order to keep their romance a secret in the early stages of their courtship.
The Aussie and Brit have been together since 2020 – and melted sports fans’ hearts last year when they teamed up in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon.
In a video for Tennis TV in April, the couple confirmed they initially hid their relationship from fellow players and the public.
Katie began: ‘Remember that time when we were having breakfast on like separate tables?’
The awkward exchange comes after Alex and girlfriend Katie revealed the tricks they played in order to keep their romance a secret in the early stages of their courtship. Both pictured
Alex responded: ‘That was the early stages. We would rock down to breakfast at different times.’
The blonde then confirmed it was often ‘different times, like 10 minutes later.’
Alex – clearly loving the trip down memory lane – added it was a deliberate ploy to ‘avoid speculation’
‘It’s so true, so people wouldn’t find out,’ responded Katie.
It comes as Alex broke into the top 10 for the first time earlier this year, while Katie achieved a career-high No.27 on the WTA circuit in March.
Engagement rumours for the pair continue to swirl, with Boulter spotted wearing a ring while sitting courtside for one of de Minaur’s matches at the Australian Open in January.
Alex will partner up with Australian champ Nick Kygrios at a New York exhibition double match called the Ultimate Tennis Showdown over the weekend.
