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
-
US Open
US Open 2022: Injury cloud hangs over women’s draw
Injury concerns have afflicted the big names of the WTA Tour.
-
ATP Tour
Nick Kyrgios ‘unravelled’ against Taylor Fritz as pundit says he needs ‘to get stronger’
Injury cloud hanging over Nick Kyrgios ahead of US Open.
-
ATP Tour
Andy Murray could drop a surprise retirement announcement at any time
Andy Murray feels he will know when he has played his last match.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu vs Jessica Pegula TV and streaming info: US Open champion looking to end hoodoo
Can Emma Raducanu win three matches in a row for the first time since the US Open?
-
WTA Tour
Iga Swiatek calls for new balls as she slams ‘horrible’ US Open balls that ‘fly like crazy’
Iga Swiatek feels officials have made a balls-up.
-
ATP Tour
Cincinnati TV and streaming: When are Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, Cameron Norrie playing?
This way for your projected start times for Thursday’s Western & Southern Open action.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal philosophical after Cincinnati defeat: ‘You lose. You move forward. I know the way’
Rafael Nadal knows the way.
-
ATP Tour
Andy Murray highlights ‘big concern’ ahead of US Open: ‘I need to try and understand what’s going on’
Andy Murray yet to find a solution to his cramping problem.
-
WTA Tour
Iga Swiatek wants to ‘be fearless again’ as she bounces back while Ons Jabeur ‘wins ugly’
Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur back to winning ways.
-
ATP Tour
Rafael Nadal stunned by former world No 12 Borna Coric in Cincinnati: ‘I won, it’s kind of crazy’
Delight for Borna Coric as he upsets Rafael Nadal in Cincy.