Katie Boulter is gearing up for a big US Open after taking up Emma Raducanu's mantle as British tennis' golden girl following her exploits at Wimbledon.
The 27-year-old was a firm favourite in front of a roaring home crowd at SW19 last month as she stormed into the third round only to suffer defeat to third seed and eventual quarter-finalist Elena Rybakina. Now up to 61 in the world rankings and the highest-placed British female, all eyes are on Boulter to build on her first WTA title victory at Nottingham in June as the US Open gets under way at Flushing Meadows this week.
Boulter has been handed a first round tie against world no.88 Diane Parry, of France, who eliminated Brit Harriet Dart in the first round at Wimbledon. Cheering on Boulter will be fellow pro and boyfriend Alex de Minaur, who teamed up with his beau for the mixed doubles at Wimbledon, reaching the last 16 together.
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Minaur is also in action in New York as he meets Timofey Skatov in the opening round of the men's singles and Boulter has explained previously how being in a relationship with her tennis partner is one of a number of factors helping her to hit new heights.
“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.”
Boulter uploaded footage from her build-up to the US Open including lunch and a "date night" with De Minaur, who she sarcastically referred to as the "best influence on my diet" before they could later be seen scoffing some doughnuts, or as Boulter called it: "Finishing on a high."
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Leicestershire-born Boulter is yet to win a match in the main draw at the US Open and her preparations have hardly been smooth. She pulled out of the Cincinatti Open earlier this month due to a foot injury but did enjoy a decent run in the Canadian Open at Montreal before that, reaching the last 32 before defeat to Coco Gauff.
Former leading British female Johanna Konta believes competing regularly at the big tournaments is only going to pay dividends for Boulter's progression. "I think time at this level will do wonders and the more opportunity she gets to play against these big players the more she will feel 'where am I lacking? is it my consistency? do I not take enough chances? do I not step in early enough in the point?'" Konta told Sky Sports. "She will then start thinking about what she needs to do on the practice court to try and iron out and push her own boundaries to get better.
"The biggest hurdle for her until now is staying physically healthy. She is in a position now where she is competing consistently week after week having had that reward by winning Nottingham and making the third round of Wimbledon, qualifying in Montreal and winning a round.
"All this will add to what we like to call 'confidence' and then from there it will also build out a lot of things and her game in general will start to get better without necessarily, specifically needing to focus on what she need to get better at. The more time you get to spend at this level your game naturally improves."
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