Katie Boulter’s touching comments about Emma Raducanu ahead of former US Open winner’s BJK Cup return
Katie Boulter admits she is “very pleased” that Emma Raducanu is back in Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup team, saying the squad will welcome her back “with open arms”.
Raducanu has made only two appearances for Team GB at the Billie Jean King Cup and that was two years ago during her debut campaign against the Czech Republic in a qualifying round.
The 21-year-old has struggled with injury and form since then as she missed the bulk of the 2023 season after undergoing surgery on both her wrists and one ankle.
Her comeback has been solid, if unspectacular, as she is 5-5 so far in 2024 with her last match a third-round defeat to Aryna Sabalenka at the Indian Wells Open.
After withdrawing from the Miami Open due to a minor back problem, Raducanu will be back in action this weekend when Great Britain take on France away with Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and debutant Francesca Jones the other members of the squad.
“I’m very pleased. We’ve missed her. We love having her back,” Boulter told PA news agency.
“Obviously the number one thing is that she’s healthy. I’ve always said it for myself and it’s my biggest wish for her as well is that she can stay as healthy as possible. We’re going to be welcoming her with open arms for sure.”
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The France team will be headlined by world No 23 Caroline Garcia, who beat reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff in her recent outing at the Miami Open.
Clara Burel, Diane Parry and Kristina Mladenovic are also part of the squad.
The tie will be played on the indoor clay court at Le Chaudron in Le Portel and Boulter admits Great Britain will be the underdogs.
“It’s a brutal match-up,” she said.”We’ve already been in this place before and we had it at home. I think if anything it could help us, we are completely the underdogs. I think we’ve got a free swing.
“Garcia is clearly playing some very good tennis right now. But it’s another Billie Jean King Cup tie, anything can happen.
“We’ve got to keep it very realistic, it’s everyone’s first week on clay. It’s not my favourite surface but I’m very excited to get on it. I think we will come together as a team and keep trying to push each other and I’m sure we’ll play some really good tennis.”
“It’s been a little bit of a whirlwind,” said Boulter. “In some aspects I’m surprised, in other aspects I’m not surprised at all, which shows that I’ve really put a lot of work in and I feel like I’m going in the right direction.
“I am very realistic at the same time. Not everything’s going to click every week. I think that’s where, going into the next part of the season (on clay), I’ve got a free swing, because it’s obviously something I’m not used to.
“It’s something fresh and exciting but this last month has been a massive, massive leap for me.”
