Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter paired up in doubles together for the first time, getting a win in their opening match at Queen’s. While Boulter has some experience playing doubles – she’s played a crucial role in some Billie Jean King Cup ties and even played with fiance Alex de Minaur – Raducanu had only contested one doubles match in her career three years ago.
But the British duo quickly found their groove at the new WTA 500 tournament at the Queen’s Club, beating experienced team Wu Fang-Hsien and Jiang Xinyu 6-4 6-2. And they have now addressed whether they could bring their blockbuster team to Wimbledon later this month.
“I mean, we haven’t spoken about it,” the former US Open champion said not long after coming off the court.
“It kind of came spontaneously, like all things do with us, but it went pretty well. We’re just going to keep trying to do as best as we can this week and take it from there.”
But Boulter was happy to stir the pot as she joked: “Scrap what she said. We’re going for the Wimbledon title. No, I’m just kidding. We haven’t talked about it, okay?”
Ahead of the tournament, British No. 1 Boulter said their partnership came about when they were practising on clay at the Queen’s Club and decided to come back and join forces in doubles.
But their link-up had been a long time coming, as Raducanu revealed they previously had hopes of playing several other tournaments together.
“We have had a few close calls. Madrid, Miami, Paris potential.”
The first week of the grass season at Queen’s seemed like the perfect place to do it, allowing both women to spend some extra time on the surface.
With Britain also through to September’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals, they’re hoping to carry the experience into the World Cup of women’s tennis.
Raducanu continued: “I think on the grass, it’s a very quick change to grass from clay, and it’s a very different surface. So I think it helps us to try and get a feel for serving, returning, and playing some live points.
“But then, yeah, obviously, like, we are playing Billie Jean King Cup, and we want to put ourselves in the best position possible. So for us, as well, to kind of get some matches on the court together is just good preparation for that, too.”
Wimbledon might be up in the air but if Raducanu and Boulter keep on rolling in the doubles at Queen’s, they might want to consider reviving their partnership at the All England Club.
