Katie Boulter gives honest verdict on world No 300 Emma Raducanu returning for Team GB | Tennis | Sport
Katie Boulter has declared that Emma Raducanu will be received “with open arms” by her Great Britain teammates as she rejoins the Billie Jean King Cup squad. The young tennis sensation is set to play only her second tie for her nation this week in France, following a two-year gap since her debut against the Czech Republic.
Raducanu’s absence from subsequent ties was due to injury setbacks, and she hinted during the Australian Open that her health would be her main focus this season, influencing her decision to participate in team events.
However, with the upcoming tie being played on indoor clay mirroring the surface of her forthcoming WTA tournament in Stuttgart, Raducanu will unite with Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and newcomer Francesca Jones in Le Portel.
Boulter, representing Lexus as a brand ambassador, expressed her enthusiasm to PA, saying: “I’m very pleased. We’ve missed her. We love having her back.”
She emphasized the importance of Raducanu’s well-being, adding: “Obviously the number one thing is that she’s healthy. I’ve always said it for myself and it’s my biggest wish for her as well is that she can stay as healthy as possible. We’re going to be welcoming her with open arms for sure.”
Despite being ranked 302nd, making her the lowest-ranked player in Anne Keothavong’s team, with Boulter at 28 and Dart within the top 100, it would come as a significant shock if Raducanu were not to play in the upcoming tie on Friday and Saturday.
Raducanu showed potential on her clay debut two years ago, winning one of two matches, despite the surface being a traditional stumbling block for British talent.
Team GB faces an uphill battle in the Billie Jean King Cup, especially after last year’s defeat to France on Coventry’s hard courts.
Led by world number 23 Caroline Garcia, who recently triumphed over Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka in Miami, the French team poses a formidable challenge. Boulter admitted: “It’s a brutal match-up.”
However, she remains optimistic, saying: “We’ve already been in this place before and we had it at home. I think if anything it could help us, we are completely the underdogs. I think we’ve got a free swing.”
Boulter acknowledged Garcia’s form but remained hopeful: “Garcia is clearly playing some very good tennis right now. But it’s another Billie Jean King Cup tie, anything can happen.”
Despite not favouring clay, Boulter is eager to compete: “We’ve got to keep it very realistic, it’s everyone’s first week on clay. It’s not my favourite surface but I’m very excited to get on it. I think we will come together as a team and keep trying to push each other and I’m sure we’ll play some really good tennis.”
Britain’s chances are bolstered by Raducanu and the ascent of Boulter, who broke into the top 30 and claimed her second WTA Tour title in San Diego, defeating more top-50 players in the first quarter of 2024 than ever before.
“It’s been a little bit of a whirlwind,” Boulter admitted. “In some aspects I’m surprised, in other aspects I’m not surprised at all, which shows that I’ve really put a lot of work in and I feel like I’m going in the right direction.
“I am very realistic at the same time. Not everything’s going to click every week. I think that’s where, going into the next part of the season (on clay), I’ve got a free swing, because it’s obviously something I’m not used to.
“It’s something fresh and exciting but this last month has been a massive, massive leap for me.”
The victorious team from the match will secure a spot at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Seville in November.
