Katie Boulter revelling in home comfort in Nottingham

The Leicester player, who has recently graduated from the LTA’s Pro Scholarship Programme, soared to British No.1 with her run to the semi-finals in Surbiton last week and got life to her new era at the summit underway with a comfortable 6-1 6-3 win over compatriot Emily Appleton at the second grass court event of the British season.

Boulter grew up playing at the Nottingham Tennis Centre after being introduced to the sport by her mum and grandpa in the East Midlands.

Both were in attendance for Tuesday’s straightforward last 32 triumph and Boulter, the world No.126, says she’s loving the cyclical nature of returning to the venue once again.

“This is my home tournament – this is the centre I grew up playing at and I’ve got a lot of close friends who are from Nottingham,” said Boulter.

“Obviously I can have my mum and my grandpa her, and that is everything to me.

“Those are the matches that I play for, because ultimately I have a lot to give back to them.

A solid win for @katiecboulter against fellow Brit Emily Appleton 👏#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #RothesayOpen pic.twitter.com/HlhoeuVXVE

— LTA (@the_LTA) June 13, 2023

“They started me in this fantastic sport, so it’s very nice to go full circle and have them here supporting me.

“I felt like that was a pretty tricky match – it’s never easy to play another Brit.

“I felt like I handled the situation well today – it was extremely windy and it wasn’t easy out there.

“She’s a strong player, got a great volley and can be very tricky on a grass court.

“I felt like I was very head strong today and played a really good match to come through.”

Boulter was one of a record three British women to reach the semi-finals at the LTA’s Lexus Surbiton Trophy last week and one of four – alongside Katie Swan, Lily Miyazaki and teenage sensation Isabelle Lacy – to reach the last eight, a joint record with 2017.

But she fell to defeat against Yanina Wickmayer with a place in the final looming as the Belgian, a former US Open semi-finalist, went on to beat Swan to the trophy.

Swan, 24, would have risen to British No.1 if she’d triumphed in the Sunday showpiece but Boulter’s brilliant run to the semi-final ensures she now stands tall as the highest-ranked British woman on the planet.

Boulter says she’s relishing the privilege of the position and insists nothing will change in her mentality heading into the rest of the grass court season.

“If I’m honest, it hasn’t changed anything,” she added.

“Every single match wherever I am, I’m the same person, same player and work hard to be as consistent as I can with all of that.

“It is a privilege and I don’t take that for granted at any point – I have to keep my head down and I’ve got a lot to do.”

For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website