Is Katie Boulter for real? England No 1 is ready to embrace the Wimbledon spotlight when she opens her campaign against Germany’s Tatjana Maria today.
The 27-year-old enters the tournament as the main front-runner for success in the women’s draw after maintaining an upward trajectory for more than a year.
Boulter made a big breakthrough by winning her first WTA Tour title in Nottingham last June and has followed up with a bigger crown in San Diego and then successfully defended the tournament just a few miles from her home in Leicestershire.
He was first seeded at Wimbledon as world number 32 and became the clear British number 1.
Boulter made a successful defense of the Nottingham Open and has reached the third round at Wimbledon two years ago
Boulter has reached the third round at Wimbledon two years ago, but his hopes of going further this time will certainly be aided by being top seeded.
Last year, he needed a wild card just to get into the main round, which shows his speed is up.
“It feels great,” he said. “It’s been my goal to be at Wimbledon, seeded, with my team for a long time. Of course I want to play this tournament with my own ranking, I don’t want to take a wild card if it helps. .
“Also being seeded, it’s a moment for me to show the dedication I’ve had for the past few years. I think it’s a small pat on the back for me. I feel proud to have that number, I’m working on it. more but I’m happy now with where I’m at. “
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Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur hit the park to discuss the early stages of their relationship and how their lives have changed in the past year.
Boulter first faced Maria, the mother of two who had a surprise run to the semi-finals two years ago.
Boulter has no plans yet to follow in Maria’s footsteps, but said: “I respect what she has done.
“I see a lot of his children in the player’s lounge, they are very cute, they fit in tennis, which is great to see as well. which is very impressive, and just their love for the game.
“What I’ve done, I can draw on it. I’m not sure if I’ll have children and come back, I really don’t know, I think it’s a personal decision and a decision I’ll make later in life.”
Sky Sports’ Robson on Boulter’s hopes
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Boulter told the five guests he would invite to the dinner party. Listen to the full episode on the Sky Sports Tennis podcast
“The difference in the last 12 months is crazy. Breaking into the top 100 last year when he won Nottingham and being limited now is a big jump and he is buzzing,” said Laura Robson, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2013.
“It’s all the hard work he’s done in the past that’s brought him to where he is now. He’s worked hard in terms of mentality and physical performance, and has improved everything about the game, so it should be a seed and have that reward.
“He’s hoping that others can’t do well in the tournament because he’s the last seed at number 32 and he’ll get it, but he’s able to make it and it’s a good bonus.”
Ann Jones (1969) and Virginia Wade (1977) are the only two players from England to reach the women’s singles final at Wimbledon.
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