When Emma Raducanu tasted Grand Slam glory at the US Open in 2021, many thought she was the heir to Andy Murray as Great Britain’s No.1 tennis star.
What Raducanu did at Flushing Meadows at the age of just 18 should never be underplayed. She stands alone as the only player to win a major singles title as a qualifier and it was a remarkable achievement which may never be repeated.
Ending Britain’s 44-year wait for a women’s Grand Slam singles champion, Raducanu was crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year, appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire and was handed lucrative sponsorship deals.
But not many foresaw what was coming next. Despite working her way into the world top 10 in July 2022, Raducanu has largely struggled with both form and injury ever since her New York fairytale and has not landed a WTA Tour title since.
Raducanu returned from nine months on the sidelines in January and this year is all about building up her fitness with former British star Tim Henman urging the 21-year-old to get at least 20 tournaments under her belt in 2024.
Despite enjoying such great success so early into her career, Raducanu still lacks experience at the top level and is still working out her set-up having regularly chopped and changed her coaches as she looks to return to the top of the sport.
While there is still much interest in whatever Raducanu does from a British perspective, her current ranking of world No.250 shows that she is not quite at a level to be challenging for titles and exciting fans like Murray did for so long.
But there is a different British player – Boulter – who has seen the gap left behind by Raducanu and she is grasping the opportunity with both hands.
Boulter replaced Raducanu as the British No.1 last year and landed her maiden WTA Tour title at the Nottingham Open.
The 27-year-old produced a career-best run at the US Open and equalled her best Wimbledon singles performance too, reaching the third round at both events. Boulter’s life off the court has also attracted considerable media attention, given her relationship with tennis star boyfriend Alex de Minaur.
She’s just enjoyed a new career high, lifting the San Diego Open trophy while unseeded to register her first WTA 500 title. That’s created much hype ahead of Indian Wells – the unofficial fifth Grand Slam – which gets underway in California this week.
Some British fans have been left upset that Boulter will not be seeded for the first leg of the Sunshine Double, though, despite a new career-high ranking of No.27. That’s because Indian Wells have decided to use the ranking system from last week when Boulter was No.49, meaning she will not get a bye into round two.
‘Katie Boulter isn’t seeded. I’m livid !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’ Tennis fan @VeronicaHoungan posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. ‘Good old wta!’ @Bufferb2012 added. ‘Not a good draw [Camila] Giorgi 1st round, even more so having no prep time.’
Boulter is staying positive, though, after producing the biggest win of her career in San Diego and now has a big opportunity to climb even further up the rankingsgiven she has few points to defend in the next couple of months on the WTA Tour.
She is attempting to become a top-32 seed at the upcoming Grand Slams, specifically at Wimbledon this summer. ‘I want to get as close to a seeding as possible,’ Boulter said.
‘It takes time to build more ranking points and get myself to that place. I have started the year very well and given myself the best opportunity to set myself up for the rest of the year. I’ve got a free swing, not too much pressure and I’m just enjoying myself.’
Although she is staying humble and grounded, all British eyes will be on Boulter for the Sunshine Double as the nation looks to get behind and champion her. But only time will tell if she can hit the same heights as Raducanu and Murray.
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