Rain stops Katie Boulter Wimbledon opener with Brit fighting for opening set against Daria Saville
Rain forces Katie Boulter off the field in her Wimbledon opener with Britain’s No. 1 6-5 down in the first set against Daria Saville for the Princess of Wales with boyfriend Alex De Minaur to play straight after
Britain’s No. 1 Katie Boulter takes on Australia’s Daria Saville on Court 18 as she looks to improve on her third-place finish at Wimbledon in 2022.
Boulter, who won her first WTA title in Nottingham and reached the semifinals in Surbiton, enters Wimbledon as Britain’s leading female singles player.
As a result, Boulter has gained a lot of interest – with the likes of Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales (who is a huge tennis fan and a patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club) watching her from the stands.
However, Boulter will have to wait for her moment of glory as her duel with Saville has been postponed due to rain. The break comes at a good time for the Brit – who is 6-5 down in the first.
In good weather, play will resume at 1:00 PM.
Britain’s No. 1 Katie Boulter (above) takes on Australia’s Daria Saville on Court 18 as she looks to improve her third-place finish at Wimbledon in 2022
Boulter, who won her first WTA title in Nottingham and reached the semifinals in Surbiton, heads to Wimbledon as the top-ranked British player in women’s singles
As a result, Boulter has received a lot of interest – with The Princess of Wales (pictured above right) watching her from the stands
Boulter will have to wait for her moment of glory as her clash with Saville has been suspended due to rain (The Princess of Wales pictured with Deborah Jevans under the umbrella)
Before the tournament, Boulter insisted that her elevation to British No. 1 would not add unwanted pressure and insisted she give her best at the oldest tennis tournament in the world.
Before the tournament, she said, “I don’t think so. I feel really good about myself when it comes to things like that.
“I can do my best and at the end of the day that’s all I can do. I know I put the work in and if it comes out this week, great, it’s a dream come true.
“But I’ve sat here and watched Wimbledon – there have been many times I haven’t played at Wimbledon, and I really don’t take anything for granted just to be here and play and be a part of this tournament.
“Of course it’s nice to feel that people appreciate you, but at the same time it’s about tennis and I have a lot of work to do. I have to do my job and keep myself grounded.”
Boulter’s friend Alex De Minaur will play on the same field after her finish, taking on Belgian star Kimmer Coppejans.
Both have fairly high chances of getting deep into the competition and will rely on each other to maintain focus and discipline in what is one of the most glamorous events on the tennis calendar.
Boulter’s friend Alex De Minaur (left) will play on the same field after her (right) at SW19
Boulter was the cover star of Tatler magazine along with Jack Draper (L) and Cam Norrie (R)
The power couple is renting a house with both families a stone’s throw from the All England Club, and Boulter says the familiarity and relaxing time help her prepare.
“We all spend a lot of time together,” she recently said. “I have the ability to pop out whenever I want — I know where the nearest coffee shop is, where the stringers are — so this is a place I can call home.”
Nevertheless, all eyes will be on Boulter given her scintillating form and emergence as a sponsor’s dream.
She’s got deals with Nike, Wilson and Jaguar, appeared on the front cover of Tatler and had a photoshoot in Vogue, but she says she hasn’t paid attention to the extra fame she’s received in the past 12 months.
More to follow…