With Emma Raducanu out, Katie Boulter is the only British player with a realistic chance of winning the women’s draw at Wimbledon.
The 26-year-old from Leicester, who claimed her maiden WTA Tour victory in Nottingham last month, is at the height of her abilities. The world No. 88 will be inspired by her success in Nottingham as well as her Wimbledon victory over Karolina Pliskova in the second round on Centre Court.
The furthest that she has ever advanced at a Grand Slam, her 2022 campaign at SW19 was cut short in the third round. She lost in the same round of the Australian Open in 2019 and just advanced to the second round of the French Open.
The world number 16 tennis player Alex de Minaur, who will be competing at Wimbledon, and Boulter’s relationship are having a good time off the court as well.
While most pictures on Boulter’s Instagram page are of her in tennis action, there are also plenty of snaps with her Australian beau.
“I feel like we continually both push each other,” said Boulter of De Minaur. “There’s a lot I’ve learned from him as a person and as a player. I’m very lucky to have an insider who knows the emotions that I go through on and off the court.
“He’s an incredible player and, as you can see from his ranking, he does it week in, week out. I’ve got a lot to learn from him. I do my best to watch what he does and emulate it.”
For the duration of The Championships, the couple and Bolter’s backup crew are residing in a sizable house close to the All England Club. She says she doesn’t feel any additional pressure as the current British number one and that she won’t be facing Australian Daria Saville when her campaign gets underway on Tuesday.
“I feel very comfortable in my own skin when it comes to that kind of stuff. I can do my best and at the end of the day that’s all I can do,” she said.
“I know I’ve put the work in. If it happens to come out this week, then great, it’s a dream come true.
“But I’ve sat here and I’ve watched Wimbledon and there’s been many times that I haven’t played Wimbledon, and I really don’t take anything for granted just being here and playing and being a part of this tournament.
“I haven’t seen any newspapers. Of course it’s nice to feel like people appreciate you, but at the same time it’s about the tennis and I’ve got a lot of work to do. I’ve got to get my job done and keep myself very grounded.”
