Katie Boulter has teamed up with Emma Raducanu in doubles for the first time, scoring a win in their first match at the Queen’s Club. The pair also came through their opening singles rounds on Tuesday, and it seems they will have no days off this week, as they are expected to return in doubles on Wednesday.
Boulter and Raducanu are also locked in a battle for British No. 1 this week, with Boulter holding the title for the last two years. And ahead of their next outing on the doubles court, the world No. 34 said: “I hope she’s still talking to me!”
Dubbed ‘Boultercanu’, the Brits got off to a winning start when they beat Wu Fang-Hsien and Jiang Xinyu 6-4 6-2 on the intimate Court 1 on Monday. But their focus was back on singles a day later.
Boulter survived a tough test against Ajla Tomljanovic, winning 7-6(4) 1-6 6-4 before Raducanu thrashed Spanish qualifier Cristina Bucsa 6-1 6-2.
While the 2021 US Open champion was still on court, Boulter was asked how much she was communicating with Raducanu this week given their new doubles link-up, and she joked: “Well, I hope she’s still talking to me after yesterday.
“I mean, yeah, I think it’s an everyday thing. I’m always very happy to see her doing well in singles. I’ll probably send her a message when she smashes it over there.”
Even when they’re not joining forces on the same side of the net, Boulter and Raducanu have a good relationship as Billie Jean King Cup teammates.
And they will have to look ahead to their next match as they face No. 1 seeds Erin Routliffe and Lyudmyla Kichenok in the doubles quarter-final.
Boulter added: “So, yeah, we do talk a fair bit. Obviously the necessities, as well.
“Most likely, she and I will play doubles tomorrow, so we will be warming up together, so we’ll have to practice on that one. Yeah, I hope she’s still talking to me.”
The current British No. 1 also had her say on their ‘Boultercanu’ nickname. “I mean, I love it,” she laughed.
“I don’t know if there is any other variations. I haven’t actually seen. Maybe I’ll have a little look on social media. It’s been a while since I have been on it. I will have a look and see what’s going on, but I like that name. It’s a great name if it sticks.”