Britain’s new rising tennis star Katie Boulter had an enthralling second round of Wimbledon against the second seed Aryna Sabalenka this afternoon.
Despite losing and being knocked out of the competition, the world number 219 showcased a huge effort, impressing British fans.
Tall and with easy power, Boulter, 24, from Leicester, has risen as high as 82 in the world and looks to have the most potential of the younger generation of Brits.
The player, who spent part of last year’s lockdown volunteering for Age UK, often shares glamorous snaps on her Instagram of her adventures training and competing around the world.
Meanwhile, the stunning blonde also confirmed earlier this year she is dating top-ranked Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur, currently ranked No. 15.
British rising star Katie Boulter, 24, from Leicester, confirmed she was dating top-ranked Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur earlier this year
On International Women’s Day, Alex made it official with a gushing Instagram post, alongside a photo of the pair sharing a warm embrace
Boulter came close to springing a major Centre Court surprise after taking the first set against second seed Aryna Sabalenka.
But the world number four from Belarus came back to knock out 24-year-old Boulter 4-6 6-3 6-3.
Yesterday, Boulter stepped up to carry the flag for the home challenge when she saved Britain’s female contingent from a day-one wipeout.
The 24-year-old ground down American qualifier Danielle Lao 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 to set up a second-round date with big-hitting Belarusian Arnya Sabalenka, the No 2 seed.
‘Having been absent for a couple years, it really means so much,’ said Boulter. ‘Ultimately it wasn’t pretty out there, I knew it wasn’t going to be. But I fought so hard, found a way. I feel like that’s what tennis is really about.’
Tall and with easy power, Boulter (pictured), 24, from Leicester, has risen as high as 82 in the world and looks to have the most potential of the younger generation of Brits
The player (pictured), who spent part of last year’s lockdown volunteering for Age UK, often shares glamorous snaps on her Instagram of her adventures training and competing around the world
It was her first appearance at the All England Club for three years and, given the circumstances, this really was a terrific display.
Having suffered a back injury which kept her out of Wimbledon in 2019, Boulter then picked up a right elbow issue just as she was going well in Nottingham earlier this month.
That elbow was thoroughly bandaged during the match and heavily iced afterwards.
‘At the moment it feels great,’ she said of the injury. ‘Ultimately I’m managing it this tournament. It didn’t hinder me in any way.’
Boulter arrived late to Court 17 and her game took some time to show up too as she fell 5-2 down.
Yesterday, Boulter (pictured) stepped up to carry the flag for the home challenge when she saved Britain’s female contingent from a day-one wipeout
Boulter (pictured) reached the world ranking of 82 before she was struck down with injury in April 2019 when she was part of Great Britain’s Federation Cup team
She had a couple of spats with umpire Mohamed Lahyani, which could have been the jolt she needed to get back on level terms and force a tiebreak.
Lao — a tricky, scurrying opponent — edged the breaker 8-6 but there were increasing signs that Boulter was finding her range.
By the end, she looked comfortably the better player, dominating with her serve and easy power. Boulter was cheered on by her mother and grandfather, as well as her boyfriend Alex de Minaur, the Australian world No 15.
‘It feels pretty special to be back home, in front of a British crowd,’ said Boulter. ‘It really does make a difference.’
On International Women’s Day, her boyfriend Alex made it official with a gushing Instagram post, alongside a photo of the pair sharing a warm embrace.
Katie Boulter celebrates in her Ladies’ Singles Second Round match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during Day Three of The Championships
Boulter reached the world ranking of 82 before she was struck down with injury in April 2019 when she was part of Great Britain’s Federation Cup team (pictured)
‘Happy International Women’s Day! Specially to this one, I don’t mind you,’ he wrote. She commented: ‘Guess you’re OK too’ with a love heart and kissing emoji.
Boulter reached the world ranking of 82 before she was struck down with injury in April 2019 when she was part of Great Britain’s Federation Cup team.
Following the team’s victory over Kazakhstan she suffered a spinal stress fracture, side lining her for the rest of the year.
Her rehabilitation was compounded by her battle with chronic fatigue, which she was diagnosed with as a teenager.
But in a recent interview she said she feels like ‘I’ve officially conquered it’ and revealed how she is ‘as strong as I have ever been physically’.
Boulter used her time during last year’s UK lockdown to complete work with Age UK, a charity for the elderly, where ‘there was one elderly lady I called every week so I could check that she’s OK and see if she needs anything doing’.