In British tennis, a new star has emerged. Not anything that new, really. Just an ancient star that is beginning to shine at last.
At 27, Katie Boulter may look young, but it has been six years since her Wimbledon round-robin victory that introduced the British audience to her undeniable skill.
Boulter’s victory over Marta Kostyuk on Sunday night in San Diego gave her her first 500-level title (grand slams and 1000 tournaments are bigger). It also elevated her to a career-high ranking of No. 27 in the world.
After a few days off, she will travel to Indian Wells, the first stop on the American Sunshine Double that also includes Miami, where she will be the top British hope for the women’s division.
After a few days off, she will travel to Indian Wells, the first stop on the American Sunshine Double that also includes Miami, where she will be the top British hope for the women’s division.
Boulter remarked, I want to give a modest special thank you to my guy. He finished around midnight last night, and I truly want to make him feel uncomfortable. I do appreciate that he arrived here today at six o’clock after taking a taxi at four fifteen in the morning.
In addition to having a comfortable and endearing connection with the charming Australian, the British No. 1 also benefits from experience and perspective.
In contrast to Raducanu, who achieved stardom in a single, miraculous summer, Boulter had to work her way up.
She experienced a stress fracture in her back just a few months after she eventually cracked the top 100 in April 2019, keeping her out of commission for almost seven months.
She fell out of the top 300, her rating crashed, and then the epidemic struck. Her ranking in the world was 88 in April 2019, and it took her four years to get back to that position inof last year.
As a result of slow and steady improvement, major victories don’t feel overpowering in the moment, according to former British No. 1 and current Sky Sports analyst Laura Robson.
She’s come a long way with her movement, and I believe that many people were surprised that she missed the Middle Eastern swing.
She knew she wanted a significant preparation block coming into these American events, so she skipped Doha and Dubai [in February]. What a difference it has made. She appears to be stronger than ever physically.
According to Robson, the sky is the limit if Boulter maintains her physical condition, which has been a constant issue since a back accident that knocked her entire body out of alignment.
She is undoubtedly a dangerous player for any player due to her explosive game and big serve, which are both bowed down far above her six-foot frame.
She is also expected to receive a seeding at the French Open and Wimbledon, which will shield her from the best players in the early going and help her stay in the top 30.
However, optimism needs to be restrained. Boulter has only won four matches against players ranked in the top 20 overall, though she did win one in January against Jessica Pegula, the world No.
5 at the time, and another last week in a three-set match against Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil.
However, she leaves a lot to be desired from her meetings with the world’s elite. At Wimbledon last year, she won just two games against Elena Rybakina and four against Coco Gauff.
Although it was a 7-5 7-6 loss in straight sets to Aryna Sabalenka, the double Australian Open winner, Boulter believes she didn’t learn much from the match last year.
She stated to a newspaper interviewer ten years ago, “my main ambition is to be top 10,” having already done so in the junior division.
And considering her track record against players of that caliber, supporters will now question whether Boulter is genuinely capable of it. She gets the chance, at least, now.
