Katie Boulter delighted hard work is paying off as she continues comeback

Katie Boulter says she has already surpassed her expectations by making it to the last 16 of the Viking Open in Nottingham.
The 24-year-old beat world number 52 Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-3 at her home tournament to continue her road back from a serious back injury.
Boulter had surged into the top 100 before suffering a spinal stress fracture that kept her out of top-level tournament tennis for the best part of a year, with coronavirus then delaying her comeback even further.
After a stop-start 2021, Boulter is happy with her progress.
Upset Alert 📢@katiecboulter ranked 1⃣8⃣0⃣ places below Marie Bouzkova gets the win of the #VikingOpen so far#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/m5eVJd6KdA
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 9, 2021
“I think I have been nursing a little injury right before these tournaments,” she said.
“I had absolutely no expectations going into this week, but I also know the level I have been putting into the practice court day in day out, I have been working super hard.
“I have been putting in the effort and I really feel it will pay off. This week is a start, I have got a long way to go yet but it is a good result today.”
Boulter, born in nearby Leicester, considers this her home tournament and would normally stay with her family at this event.
However, the pandemic means she must stay in the bubble and not even leave her hotel.
“Of course it is going to be difficult,” she said. “But I fully understand why the measures are in place, there are bigger things going on in the world right now.
“For me it is pretty hard being back at my home tournament. But it is a privilege to have my parents and grandparents in the stand. So to even have that support means so much to be, and I am super lucky even to have that.
“It just goes to show how far we have gone in the last year, if not longer. It has been a really, really tough time for a lot of people.
“Also my family, I have hardly seen them. I am pretty sure the last time my grandparents watched me live was (at the) Copper Box a couple of years ago (in April 2019).
“So for them it is huge and it is a long time ago, it really makes the difference. I am super lucky to have them here by my side to help me win matches.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Tennis News
WATCH: ‘Greek god’ Marton Fucsovics takes shirt off to reveal ripped body
Marton Fucsovics shows off his muscles again.
-
WTA Tour
Aryna Sabalenka eyes Iga Swiatek’s No 1 spot – Why Sabalenka could usurp the Pole in the coming months
Aryna Sabalenka’s world No 1 goal could be within touching distance.
-
ATP Tour
What Novak Djokovic needs to do to be top seed at French Open
Novak Djokovic has a big chance to be back at No 1 in time for the French Open.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon reach verdict on Russian players with announcement imminent
The decision on whether Russian and Belarusian players can compete at Wimbledon this summer has been made.
-
Tennis News
Tennis legend predicts how many Grand Slams Novak Djokovic will win
Novak Djokovic is “going to be winning majors as long as he’s healthy”.
-
WTA Tour
Aryna Sabalenka, WTA and Steve Simon slammed as tension in tennis continues to escalate
All is not well in women’s tennis.
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz off the mark in Miami as Jimmy Connors explains why he is head and shoulders above his peers
Carlos Alcaraz up and running in Miami as Jimmy Connors waxes lyrical about Spaniard.
-
WTA Tour
WTA accused of ignoring request for meeting with Ukrainian players – ‘Just silence’
Ukrainian players want to meet with the WTA board.